Next morning, a young man came into the pit. He announced that, upon Princes Aliana's orders, we were to have the freedom of Eros, so that contact with the planetoid culture could win us from our uncouth ways. He was too young to be wholly gentled by the flowers and the council of elders. So the Choker showed him a wristlock. And when the Choker tossed him on his ear in the erydnium ore, he said words that were not beautiful. Maybe there's something to the people of this asteroid. Anyway, everything is great now. We wander wherever we please, as long as we return to the pit to sleep. When nobody is looking, we sneak into the royal palace courtyard and put on a wrestling show for the girls. And the nights! Ah, the nights! Don't turn entirely green with envy, Hankus. At least leave your nose the familiar red. Jed * * * * * SPACEGRAM To: Jed Michaels, Ryttuk, Eros FINE WORK. RETURN IMMEDIATELY. WILL MEET YOU AT MARS. MAYBE YOU CAN PERSUADE SOME OF THE GIRLS TO ACCOMPANY YOU THAT FAR. AM SENDING THE WRESTLERS TO SATURN. HANK * * * * * ROCKET MAIL (First Class) To: H. E. Horrocks, Cosmopolis, Earth Dear Hank: Go to Mars, the man says. I can't go anywhere. The elders caught us giving a rassle when Aliana was away and we're in again. These flower roots taste terrible. Jed * * * * * SPACEGRAM To: Jed Michaels, Ryttuk, Eros YOU BLUNDERING BABOON, YOU'RE FIRED. HORROCKS * * * * * ROCKET MAIL (Free, Royal Frank) Royal Palace, Eros To: H. E. Horrocks, Cosmopolis, Earth Dear melon brain: I gather from your last message that you wish to discharge me. I accept the offer, fat boy. In fact, under royal Eros precedent, which I made up three minutes ago, we will even pay for your message. However, the words "you blundering baboon" do not seem a necessary part of that message, and their cost will be taken out of the first bit of business that the royal house of Eros decides to honor your puny little corporation with. If any. Times are changed, Hankus. I'm a big shot now. A few hours after we got back in the pit, Aliana came back and sneaked down to see us. She said she thought it was about time to end this council of elders' nonsense and she asked our help. I told her plan to the wrestlers in words of one syllable or less. They all agreed except the Faceless Wonder. "I don't see why I should have nothing to do with no book," he said. It seems he had had a book once and chewed up the first three chapters before he found put it wasn't something to eat. I signaled to the boys. Zbich clamped a headlock on him. The Choker got a hammerlock. The Gorilla Man took him in a scissors. Gorgeous Gordon got a toehold and Barefoot Charley stood by to jump on his stomach. "Do you understand now?" I asked politely. "Sure, Jed, sure," said the Faceless Wonder. "Why didn't ya explain it to me in the first place?"