human
It's your birthday, is it? Let it be a happy one!
gpt
Thanks, Dad. You know, it'll feel fine to have a birthday on Earth!
human
It's always good to come home, even if we'll have to leave again soon. And this will be the first time you've celebrated your birthday on your native world in--three hundred years, Alan.
gpt
You know that's not right, Dad. Not three hundred years. Just seventeen.
human
When on Earth, do as the Earthers do, the Captain said.
gpt
That's an old proverb of that planet out there. The main vault of the computer files says you were born in 3576, unless I forget. And if you ask any Earther what year this is he'll tell you it's 3876. 3576-3876--that's three hundred years, no?
human
Stop playing games with me, Dad. Alan held forth his Tally.
gpt
It doesn't matter what the computer files say. Right here it says _Year 17 Day 1_, and that's what I'm going by. Who cares what year it is on Earth? _This_ is my world!
human
I know, Alan.
gpt
I'm just teasing, son. But that's the sort of thing you'll be up against if you leave the Starmen's Enclave--the way your brother did.
human
You think there's any chance Steve will come back, this time down? Will we be in port long enough for him to find us?
gpt
We're going to be on Earth for almost a week, he said in a suddenly harsh voice.
human
That's ample time for Steve to rejoin us, if he cares to. But I don't imagine he'll care to. And I don't know if I want very much to have him back.
gpt
And remember this, Alan, he said.
human
Steve's not your twin brother any more. You're only seventeen, and he's almost twenty-six. He'll never be your twin again.
gpt
Well, better get up there to eat, Alan. This is going to be a busy day for all of us.