human
Doing? You know perfectly well I represent the American Medical Relief. My team has been in the vicinity of Silet, working with the nomads. The country is rife with everything from rickets to syphilis! Eighty per cent of these people suffer from trachoma. My team--
gpt
Just a moment, Moroka said.
human
You mean out in those two trucks you have a complete American medical setup? Assistants and all?
gpt
I have two American nurses with me and four Algerians recruited in Oran. This sort of interference with my work is insufferable and--
human
It seems as though El Hassan has just acquired a Department of Health.
gpt
El Hassan? Smythe stuttered.
human
What, what?
gpt
Dr. Smythe, surely you have heard of El Hassan.
human
Heard of him? I've heard of nothing else for the past month! Confounded ignorant barbarian. What this part of the world needs is _less_ intertribal, interracial, international fighting, not more. The man's a raving lunatic and--
gpt
Doctor ... may I introduce you to El Hassan?
human
What ... what--?
gpt
You're El Hassan!
human
That's correct, Doctor.
gpt
You've done what you were driving at there at that meeting in Timbuktu. You're trying to unite these people in spite of themselves and then drag them, willy-nilly, into the twentieth century.
human
I told you then, Crawford, and I tell you now. These natives are not suited for such sudden change. Already they are subject to mass neurosis because they cannot adjust to a world that changes too quickly.
gpt
I wonder if that doesn't apply to the rest of us as well, Cliff said unhappily.
human
But the changes go on, if we like them or not. Can you think of any way to turn them off?
gpt
Dr. Smythe, the die is already cast. The question now becomes, will you join us?
human
Join you! Certainly not!
gpt
Then I might suggest that, first, you will not be allowed to operate in my territory. He considered for a moment, grinning inwardly, but on the surface his expression serene. He added,
human
And second, that you will probably have difficulties procuring an exit visa from my domains.
gpt
Exit visa! Are you jesting? See here, my good man, you realize I am a citizen of the United States of the Americas and--
human
A country, Homer yawned,
gpt
This isn't funny. You're an American citizen yourself. And you, Miss Cunningham and--
human
As a matter of fact, the last we heard, the State Department representative told us our passports were invalid.
gpt
Look here, Doctor. You don't see eye to eye with us on matters socio-economic. However, as a medical man, I submit that joining my group ... ah, that is, until you can secure an exit visa from my authorities ... will give you an excellent opportunity to practice your science here in the Sahara under the wing of El Hassan. I'll assign a place for your trucks and tents. Please consider the question and let me have your answer at your leisure. Meanwhile, we will prepare a desert feast suitable to the high esteem in which we hold you.