So with heels on desk, a glass of Scotch from his favorite file drawer, Don Channing idled and waited for the visitor. The knock came and Channing said "Come in!" Two policemen--The Terran Police--entered quietly and stood aside as the third man entered cautiously. Channing's feet came off the desk and hit the floor with a crash. "The spectre at the feast," snorted Channing. "Of all the people I know, I least expected you--and wanted to see you least. I hope it is a mutual affection, Kingman." "Don't be godlike, Channing," said Kingman coldly. "You may think you're running things all your way, but some people object to being made a rubber stamp." "Look, Kingman, get whatever is on that little mind of yours damn well off it so I can continue as I was." "Channing, I have here papers of disenfranchisement." "In--deed?" "Right." Channing smiled. "Don't be so damned superior," snapped Mark Kingman. "Tell me, Markus, just why this disenchantment takes place?" "Venus Equilateral suspended operations on Twenty December," said Kingman. "Without notice nor permission nor explanation. Since the relay-beams of Venus Equilateral have carried nothing for a period beyond that permitted for suspension of operations by the Interplanetary Communications Commission, they have seen fit to revoke your license." "Well! And after all I've done," said Channing. "You see--you think you can get away with anything. Doubtless this ultra-frigid condition was the cause of failure?" "Possibly. And then again, maybe someone wanted to make ice cream." "Don't be flippant. You'll find that these papers are final and complete. You'll not be able to talk your way out of it." "Tell me, O Learned Legal Light, who is going to run Venus Equilateral when I am far away?" "Some time ago Terran Electric applied for a franchise and took an option pending failure at Venus Equilateral. This failure has taken place and Terran Electric now controls-- "I gather that you've been forced to put Terran Electric up as bail for the license?" Kingman flushed. "Find that Terran Electric wasn't worth much?" jeered Channing. "Sufficient," said Kingman. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe Venus Equilateral wasn't worth much either?" asked Channing. "I'll make it work for me. And I'll also report that one of your wild experiments got loose and nearly froze the station out completely. I still say that if you'd stopped toying around with everything that came along, Venus Equilateral would still be a running corporation." "I daresay you're right. But the devil finds work for idle hands, you know. So just what is the future holding?" "Channing, your attitude is entirely frivolous and unconvinced that I mean business. To convince you, I'm going to give you twelve hours to relinquish the station and be on your way from here!" "May I point out that this is Christmas?"