“I wanted more proof that you weren’t Soleri,” said Randy. “And--well, I wanted to see if you minded. I’m glad you did.” His thoughts were whirling and he couldn’t look at her. Mechanically Talbot opened the envelope. There was more money in it for his three weeks of employment than he had earned in any previous three months. “When I put Talbot on the payroll I thought you were dead,” said Randy. “It was going to be your last job--so I made it a good one. I signed you on as assistant to Soleri.” He could do without that. He didn’t need any industrial “assists” apart from himself, and his training in transportation and electronics. “Taft is hoping you’ll show up,” said Randy. “His two top men are gone. He needs a new executive familiar with the organization. The company will still do research, on a dozen new projects. It has to keep on with experimental work if it’s going to survive.” “Thanks for the tip!” He grinned at her. “I might go down and see what position they have for a man of my ability. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” He crossed the room and looked down at her. “But you’ve got to understand this--there are some things for which I can’t be any man’s assistant.” “You won’t be,” said Randy. “Don’t you know you never were?” He knew it now. It was good to be himself again. Transcriber’s Note: This etext was produced from Fantastic Universe, March 1956 (Vol. 5, No. 2.). Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Obvious errors in punctuation have been silently corrected in this version, while spelling and hyphenation have been kept as is.