"I am a deeply religious man," Old Tom continued. "I guess you've heard that, Merle?" "Yes sir," Capt. Shaeffer said. "But did you know that the Lord has summoned you here today?" Old Tom asked. "No, sir," Capt. Shaeffer said. "General Reuter, here, is a dear friend. We've known each other, oh, many years. Distantly related through our dear wives, in fact. And we serve on the same Board of Directors and the same Charity Committees.... A few weeks ago, when he asked me for a man, I called for your file, Merle. I made discreet inquiries. Then I got down on my knees and talked it over with God for, oh, it must have been all of an hour. I asked, 'Is this the man?' And I was given a sign. Yes! At that moment, a shaft of sunlight broke through the clouds!" * * * * * General Reuter had continued his nervous movements throughout the speech. For the first time, he spoke. "Good God, Tom, serve us a drink." He turned to Capt. Shaeffer. "A little drink now and then helps a man relax. I'll just have mine straight, Tom." Old Tom studied Capt. Shaeffer. "I do not feel the gentle Master approves of liquor." "Don't try to influence him," General Reuter said. "You're embarrassing the boy." "I--" Capt. Shaeffer began. "Give him the drink. If he doesn't want to drink it, he won't have to drink it." Sighing, Old Tom poured two bourbons from the bar in back of his desk and passed them over. Martyrdom sat heavily upon his brow. After a quick twist of the wrist and an expert toss of the head, General Reuter returned an empty glass. "Don't mind if I do have another," he said. He was already less restless. "How's your ability to pick up languages?" General Reuter asked. "I learned Spanish and Russian at TUT PS," Capt. Shaeffer said apologetically. "I'm supposed to have a real high aptitude in languages, according to some tests I took. In case we should meet intelligent aliens, TUT gives them." "You got no association with crackpot organizations, anything like that?" General Reuter asked. "You're either a good Liberal-Conservative or Radical-Progressive, aren't you? I don't care which. I don't believe in prying into a man's politics." "I never belonged to anything," Capt. Shaeffer said. "Oh, I can assure you, that's been checked out very, very thoroughly," Old Tom said. The General signaled for another drink. With a sigh of exasperation, Old Tom complied. "Bob," Old Tom said, "I really think you've had enough. Please, now. Our Master counsels moderation." "Damn it, Tom," the General said and turned back to the space pilot. "May have a little job for you." Old Tom shook his head at the General, cautioning him. "Actually," the General said, ignoring the executive, "we'll be sort of renting you from TUT. In a way you'll still be working for them. I can get a million dollars out of the--" "Bob!"