variant atmospheres is a subject on which the connoisseurs
have written numerous volumes, so I will confine my remarks to
noting that a good binge is worthy of at least a week's time and
often warrants a lifetime study.
I had been a student of exceptional promise (strictly
undergraduate) for going on two years when the Bright Water
fell through our marble ceiling and poured its people like
targets into the city.
Pause. The Worlds Almanac re Lifeline: ". . . Port city on
the eastern coast of Hand. Employees of th'e Agency for
Nonterrestrial Research comprise approximately 85% of its
100,000 population (2010 Census). Its other residents are
primarily personnel maintained by several industrial corpora-
tions engaged in basic research. Independent marine biologists,
wealthy fishing enthusiasts, and waterfront entrepreneurs make
up the remainder of its inhabitants."
I turned to Mike Perrin, a fellow entrepreneur, and
commented on the lousy state of basic research.
"Not if the mumbled truth be known."
He paused behind his glass before continuing the slow
swallowing process calculated to obtain my interest and a few
oaths, before he continued.
"Carl," he finally observed, poker playing, "they're shaping
Tensquare."
I could have hit him. I might have refilled his glass with
sulfuric acid and looked on with glee as his lips blackened and
cracked. Instead, I grunted a noncommittal: "Who's fool
enough to shell out fifty grand a day? ANR?"
He shook his head.
"Jean Luharich," he said, "the girl with the violet contacts
and fifty or sixty perfect teeth. I understand her eyes are really
brown."
"Isn't she selling enough facecream these days?"
He shrugged.
"Publicity makes the wheels go 'round. Luharich Enterprises
jumped sixteen points when she picked up the Sun Trophy.
You ever play golf on Mercury?"
I had, but I overlooked it and continued to press.
"So she's coming here with a blank check and a fishhook?"
"Bright Water, today," he nodded. "Should be down by now.
Lots of cameras. She wants an lkky, bad."
"Hmm," I hmmed. "How bad?"
"Sixty day contract, Tensquare. Indefinite extension clause.
Million and a half deposit," he recited.
"You seem to know a lot about it."
"I'm Personnel Recruitment. Luharich Enterprises ap-
proached me last month. It helps to drink in the right places.
"Or own them," he smirked, after a moment.
I looked away, sipping my bitter brew. After awhile I
swallowed several things and asked Mike what he expected to
