human
Drink up, mate, said the nearest man, a tall, heavy-shouldered man with a dark beard,
gpt
No, thanks, said Tom.
human
One's my limit.
gpt
Well, I'll say this for you, lad, you're honest about it, said the tall one.
human
Most squirts coming in here try to put on they can take the stuff and then they wind up in the gutter.
gpt
That's right, Cag!
human
What are you doing in here, Cadet?
gpt
Looking for a guy.
human
What's his name? Maybe we know him.
gpt
Yeah, we might, chimed in the other.
human
We know just about everybody that comes in here.
gpt
Maybe he don't want to tell us, Monty,
human
I don't know his name, said Tom.
gpt
I just met him today and he mentioned this place. I wanted to talk to him about something.
human
Where did you see him?
gpt
He's a jet trucker. I saw him out at the spaceport today.
human
Little guy, with a sort of funny twitch in his eye?
gpt
Yes, replied Tom.
human
That's him. Know him?
gpt
He hangs out in a joint across the street, said Monty.
human
Come on outside. I'll show you where it is. And his name's Pistol, in case you want to know.
gpt
Pistol, said Tom.
human
That's an odd name.
gpt
Not when you consider he carries a pistol all the time,
human
What do you want to see him about, anyway?
gpt
Just wanted to talk to him about the jet-trucking business.
human
What about it? We're truckers, me and Cag, we could probably tell you a lot more than Pistol.
gpt
Maybe, said Tom.
human
But I want to talk to Pistol.
gpt
See that light down there, he said, pointing down the block,
human
Where--?
gpt
Nice work, Cag,
human
What'll we do with him?
gpt
Throw him in the back of the truck and get outta here, said Monty, pulling Tom's limp form into the shadows of an alley.
human
I'll get in touch with the boss and tell him what's happened. And you better send out word to get Pistol. He must know something.
gpt
Right, said Cag.
human
Gee, Corbett's getting his nice clean uniform messed up.
gpt
What! exclaimed Major Connel.
human
Give me that again.
gpt
Cadet Corbett has not been in his hotel since last night, sir, he said.
human
He was seen leaving the service entrance at about 2100 hours. There is no report as to his whereabouts, sir.
gpt
This is the end! he shouted.
human
I've had as much of this foolishness as I'm going to take. When that young space brat comes back, I'm going to throw the book at him.
gpt
Now, now, Major, said Devers.
human
I wouldn't be too hard on the lad. How do you know that he isn't in some kind of trouble?
gpt
That's just it, growled Connel.
human
One of those three is always in trouble.
gpt
He saved your life,
human
I'm well aware of that, replied Connel stiffly.
gpt
But it's a personal debt. It has nothing to do with his behavior as a cadet. I ordered him to go to that hotel and rest, not go skylarking all over Marsport. This is typical of the whole unit's attitude.
human
But you said that they were the best crew you ever had,
gpt
I know, but what's worse is that _they_ know it! Blast it, Carter, it isn't easy to say the things I've said about Corbett! He's a fine lad. But look at it this way. I have to return to Atom City immediately. Corbett may be in trouble, right? Devers nodded.
human
Well, how do you think I feel, blasting off and leaving him?
gpt
And furthermore, I have more important things to think about than wet-nursing a cadet.
human
Humph, he grunted,
gpt
If it is, cautioned Devers,
human
We'll see, we'll see.