The Mayor continued. "Another point in our history was passed when this young man on my left, at that time Captain, now Major John Harmon of the Space Force, returned from Mars. He and his crew represent the end of our isolation in space. The Moon, after all, is a satellite of Earth. Mars is another planet, and Major Harmon has landed there. We are not likely in our time to see another such event since the next big step, beyond the Solar System, will require a technology we do not possess. So, ladies and gentlemen, you, tonight, are witnessing the beginning of a new age, an age of supermen borne by women of America, such as Gloria Manson, and led by heroes such as John Harmon. I propose we drink a toast to them ... together." * * * * * Afterwards, in Gloria's apartment, the three of them sat and talked until late. Then John Harmon looked at his watch and got up to leave. "I have to catch the ramjet out of La Guardia," he said. "We start planning the next space trip in Colorado tomorrow, or rather this morning. It's been fun." He shook George's hand and kissed Gloria quickly. "I'll be seeing you one of these days." George shut the door behind him. "I guess I'd better go now," he said. "No! Have one for the road," Gloria said quickly. "I want to talk to you." George poured another Scotch. "You still worried?" "A bit," she admitted. "What is the next step?" "Now I'm supposed to pick the male donor." "I thought you'd done that already." "No. You see we have to know what blood types the female has and what her genetic structure is; whether she has any antibodies against sperm and so on, before we pick the male. To do it before the winner is picked would entail a lot of unnecessary work." "Then we still have some time before the impregnation ceremony?" "I can stall for maybe four weeks ... no longer. You see I have to consider your cycle too." He got up to go. "Gloria, I guess I was half lit last night. I'm sorry. It was a damn-fool idea." She came close to him. "But you really do believe in the old-fashioned marriage, even if not in the old-fashioned girl?" "Yes, I do. I still think people should be in love and not just mated because a calculating machine says they'll produce superior offspring." "You're sweet." She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. The kiss lasted ... and lasted. Finally George broke it off. "My God!" he mumbled. "Don't we have enough problems, without this?" * * * * * Three weeks later, on Monday, George announced he had a suitable donor. The New York Genetics Panel, in session, considered the records and announced that permission was granted for one Gloria Manson, spinster, of New York City, to bear a child by artificial impregnation. The date was set for Wednesday. On Tuesday night George went to Gloria's apartment. "What are we going to do?" Gloria asked as she watched George wearing a path on the rug. "We've left it awfully late."