My Library

casual, but as he blanked I knew I had done it wrong. I turned to my rudimentary NVC. (Do you have the means for me to recharge?) The man lighted brightly, waved me off to the right. As I walked in the indicated direction, I felt smug. I had passed one test. They didn’t vocalize but they understood me. Even my weak, nonverbal communication. From here on, it would be easy. I began to speculate as to the food they consumed. It was sure to be unusual. An archway, rounded, was in front of me, and it appeared dark beyond—no, not dark, just lit differently in a mixture of colors. I strode confidently through the archway and into the colors. Just inside, the radiation hit me like a sheet of hot flame and I staggered back. This wasn’t the restaurant, the man got it all wrong. From all sides came the overwhelming attraction of female sexuality, inviting, asking, offering, promising—it was too much. With great effort, I backed out through the archway, breathing heavily and trying to calm down. I had just about smoothed out when I looked up and the room clerk (?) was in front of me, accompanied by two other men— percept police, authority, KGB, etc. One KGB moved in. (Your ident, please?) I began fumbling in my pockets for my wallet, only there were no pockets in the one-piece cover I was wearing. But there was a belt on me with a small pouch attached to it. I reached in the pouch and there was a card in it. I pulled it out and it resembled nothing so much as a typical credit card. KGB took it from me, examined it carefully, then looked up. (From Earth, huh? Never heard of that city. Over on the other side of the ocean?) I smoothed. (Why, uh, yes, you see …) KGB waved the card at me. (Well, we don’t particularly like you visiting here, but you got to obey the rules.) I brightened. (Sure, I understand.) (Here, we don’t go into private space and take without paying first. Always pay first.) KGB turned to the desk clerk, handing him my card. (How much of it do you want? He hasn’t got very much.)