Waldo

‘I was not comparing him to you, I was simply recalling that Edison was reputed to prefer hard problems to easy ones. I've heard the same about you; I had hopes that this problem might be hard enough to interest you.~ ‘It is mildly interesting,' Waldo conceded. ‘A little out of my line, but interesting. I must say, however, that I am surprised to hear you, an executive of North American Power-Air, express such a high opinion of my talents. One would think that, if the opinion were sincere, it would not have been difficult to convince your firm of my indisputable handiwork in the matter of the so-called Hathway patents.

Really, thought Stevens, the man is impossible. A mind like a weasel. Aloud, he said, ‘I suppose the matter was handled by the business management and the law staff. They would hardly be equipped to distinguish between routine engineering and inspired design.

The answer seemed to mollify Waldo. He asked, ‘What does your own research staff say about the problem?

Stevens looked wry. ‘Nothing helpful. Dr Rambeau does not really seem to believe the data I bring him. He says it's impossible, but it makes him unhappy. I really believe that he has been living on aspirin and nembutal for a good many weeks.

‘Rambeau,' Waldo said slowly. ‘I recall the man. A mediocre mind. All memory and no intuition. I don't think I would feel discouraged simply because Rambeau is puzzled.

‘You really feel that there is some hope?

‘It should not be too difficult. I had already given the matter some thought, after Mr Gleason's phone call. You have given me additional data, and I think I see at least two new lines of approach which may prove fruitful. In any case, there is always some approach - the correct one.

‘Does that mean you will accept?' Stevens demanded, nervous with relief

‘Accept?' Waldo's eyebrows climbed up. ‘My dear sir, what in the world are you talking about? We were simply indulging in social conversation. I would not help your company under any circumstances whatsoever. I hope to see your firm destroyed utterly, bankrupt, and ruined. This may well be the occasion

Stevens fought to keep control of himself. Tricked! The fat slob had simply been playing with him, leading him on. There was no decency in him. In careful tones he continued, ‘I do not ask that you have any mercy on North American, Mr Jones, but I appeal to your sense of duty. There is public interest involved. Millions of people are vitally dependent on the service we provide. Don't you see that the service must continue, regardless of you or me?

Waldo pursed his lips. ‘No,' he said, ‘I am afraid that does not affect me. The welfare of those nameless swarms of Earth crawlers is, I fear, not my concern. I have done more for them already than there was any need to do. They hardly deserve help. Left to their own devices, most of them would sink back to caves and stone axes. Did you ever see a performing ape, Mr Stevens, dressed in a man's clothcs and cutting capers on roller skates? Let me leave you with this thought: I am not a roller-skate mechanic for apes.

If I stick around here much longer, Stevens advised himself, there will be hell to pay. Aloud, he said, ‘I take it that is your last word?

‘You may so take it. Good day, sir. I enjoyed your visit. Thank you.

‘Goodbye. Thanks for the dinner.

‘Not at all.

As Stevens turned away and prepared to shove himself towards the exit, Grimes called after him, ‘Jimmie, wait for me in the reception room

As soon as Stevens was out of earshot, Grimes turned to Waldo and looked him up and down. ‘Waldo,' he said slowly, ‘I always did know that you were one of the meanest, orneriest men alive, but-

‘Your compliments don't faze me, Uncle Gus.

‘Shut up and listen to me. As I was saying, I knew you were too rotten selfish to live with, but this is the first time I ever knew you to be a fourflusher to boot.

‘What do you mean by that? Explain yourself.

‘Shucks! You haven't any more idea of how to crack the problem that boy is up against than I have. You traded on your reputation as a miracle man just to make him unhappy. Why, you cheap tinhorn bluffer, if you-

‘Stop it!

‘Go ahead,' Grimes said quietly. ‘Run up your blood pressure. I won't interfere with you. The sooner you blow a gasket the better.

Waldo calmed down. ‘Uncle Gus - what makes you think I was blufiing?

‘Because I know you. If you had felt able to deliver the goods, you would have looked the situation over and worked out a plan to get NAPA by the short hair, through having something they had to have. That way you would have proved your revenge.

Waldo shook his head. ‘You underestimate the intensity of my feeling in the matter.

‘I do like hell! I hadn't finished. About that sweet little talk you gave him concerning your responsibility to the race. You've got a head on you. You know damned well, and so do I, that of all people you can least afford to have anything serious happen to the setup down on Earth. That means you don't see any way to prevent it

‘Why, what do you mean? I have no interest in such troubles; I'm independent of such things. You know me better than that.

‘Independent, eh? Who mined the steel in these walls? Who raised that steer you dined on tonight? You're as independent as a queen bee, and about as helpless.

Waldo looked startled. He recovered himself and answered, ‘Oh no, Uncle Gus. I really am independent. Why, I have supplies here for years.

‘How many years?

‘Why... uh, five, about.

‘And then what? You may live another fifty - if you have regular supply service. How do you prefer to die - starvation or thirst?

‘Water is no problem,' Waldo said thoughtfully; ‘as for supplies, I suppose I could use hydroponics a little more and stock up with some meat animals-

Grimes cut him short with a nasty laugh. ‘Proved my point. You don't know how to avert it, so you are figuring some way to save your own skin. I know you. You wouldn't talk about starting a truck garden if you knew the answers.

Waldo looked at him thoughtfully. ‘That's not entirely true. I don't know the solution, but I do have some ideas about it. I'll bet you a half interest in hell that I can crack it. Now that you have called my attention to it, I must admit I am rather tied in with the economic system down below, and' - he smiled faintly - ‘I was never one to neglect my own interests. Just a moment - I'll call your friend.

‘Not so fast. I came along for another reason, besides introducing Jimmie to you. It can't be just any solution; it's got to be a particular solution.

‘What do you mean?

‘It's got to be a solution that will do away with the need for filling up the air with radiant energy.

‘Oh, that. See here, Uncle Gus, I know how interested you are in your theory, and I've never disputed the possibility that you may be right, but you can't expect me to mix that into another and very difficult problem.

‘Take another look. You're in this for self-interest. Suppose everybody was in the shape you are in.

‘You mean my physical condition?

‘I mean just that. I know you don't like to talk about it, but we blamed well need to. If everybody was as weak as you are - presto! No coffee and cakes for Waldo. And that's just what I see coming. You're the only man I know of who can appreclate what it means.