"It's a living," Albin said casually, shrugging. Then: "But I'm serious. One good dose of real enjoyment will cure you, friend. One good dose of fun--by which, kiddo, I mean plain ordinary old sex, such as can be had any free evening around here--and you'll stop being depressed and worried. Uncle Albin Cendar's Priceless Old Recipe, kiddo, and don't argue with me: it works." Dodd said nothing at all. After a few seconds his eyes slowly closed and he sat like a statue in the room. Albin, watching him, whistled inaudibly under his breath. A minute went by silently. The light in the room began to diminish. "Sun's going down," Albin offered. There was no response. Albin got up again and went to the window. "Maybe you're right," he said with his back to Dodd's still figure. "There ought to be some way of getting people off-planet, people who just don't want to stay here." "Do you know why there isn't?" Dodd's voice was a shock, stronger than before. "Sure I know," Albin said. "There's--" "Slavery," Dodd said. "Oh, sure, maybe somebody knows about it, but it's got to be kept quiet. And if anybody got back--well, look." "Don't bother me with it." Albin's voice was suddenly less sure. "Look," Dodd said. "The Confederation needs the metal. It exists pure here, and in quantity. But if they knew, really knew, how we mined and smelted and purified it and got it ready for shipment...." "So suppose somebody goes back," Albin said. "Suppose somebody talks. What difference does it make? It's just rumor, nothing official. No, the reason nobody goes back is cargo space, pure and simple. We need every inch of cargo space for the shipments." "If somebody goes back," Dodd said, "the people will know. Not the government, not the businesses, the people. And the people don't like slavery, Albin. No matter how necessary a government finds it. No matter what kind of a jerry-built defense you can put up for it." "Don't be silly," Albin said. There was less conviction in his voice; he looked out at the sunset as if he were trying to reassure himself. "Nobody's allowed to leave," Dodd said, more quietly. "We're--they're taking every precaution they can. But some day--maybe some day, Albin--the people are going to find out in spite of every precaution." He sat straighter. "And then it'll all be over. Then they'll be wiped out, Albin. Wiped out." "They need us," Albin said uncertainly. "They can't do without us." Dodd swung round to face him. The sunset was a deepening blaze in the Commons Room. "Wait and find out," he said in a voice that suddenly rang on the metal walls. "Wait and find out." * * * * * After a long time Albin said. "Damn it, what you need is education. A cure. Fun. What I've been saying." He paused and took a breath. "How about it, Dodd?" Dodd didn't move. Another second passed. "All right, Albin," he said slowly, at last. "I'll think about it. I'll think about it." 3