In a moment or two, Doug wandered through The gaudily-neoned door Of a feverish-gay, bright cabaret; Below, on the mirrored floor Of the dancehall swayed a cavalcade Of every breed and race Whose daughters and sons defy the suns To journey the ways of space. A miner from Mars, pockmarked with scars Pressed close to a woman from Io, A Jovian baby drawled lazily, "Maybe--" To pleas of a tar from Ohio; A vicious-mouthed slattern from faraway Saturn Sang ditties to make the hair curl. And then--curtains parted, and Doug MacNeer started To see such a beautiful girl! [Footnote 1: _Krull, a mining town in N. Campbell Terr., Mars. 84 m. SW of Sand City; pop. 3,587._] [Footnote 2: _Cradle-monkey; spaceport attendant._] II Venus Nell was no saint, any preacher would paint A bad ending for her at a peek. But her worst enemy would be forced to agree There was nothing wrong with her physique. She was flat where it flattered, and curved where it mattered, A creature of streamline and bubbles; She had bright yaller hair, and a definite flair For taking men's minds off their troubles. She never had known the cap or the gown Of grammar- or high-school or college, Which didn't mean she couldn't win her A.B. In a certain and specialized knowledge. She had lure and illusion; creating confusion 'Mongst men was but one of her tricks. Doug's eyes opened wide when she strolled to his side --And he fell like a cargo of bricks! She drawled, "Howdy, sailor!" and Dougal turned paler, "H-howdy!" he managed to answer. Then, in sudden alarm, "Are you one of the charm- Gals?" he questioned, "Or only a dancer?" Now, why an admission of her true position Nell should at that moment decide To conceal is a mystery buried in history; Whatever the reason, she lied. In fashion designed to make any man blind She lowered her lashes and blushed. (Which was no mean achievement itself.) "Oh, believe Me! I'm no--entertainer," she gushed. "I sell cigarettes, and I sometimes take bets On the rocketship races--" MacNeer Slowly nodded his head as he quietly said "A girl like you shouldn't be here! "I think we'd do well to get out of this hell Of evil and vice," he decided. Nell had to sit still and bite her lips till Her inner amusement subsided. This curious sucker, it suddenly struck her, Meant business! His motives were pure. To lead on the calf should be good for a laugh ... She smiled at him, shy and demure.