human
Yes, it is a good deal we have made--of course it is!--it bears every analysis. We need that land if we are to expand as we must, and the banks will carry me for the twenty million I can't swing. But, confound it, Warrington, I've had a hunch--and I've gone against it. Schwartzmann has tied me up for ready cash, and he represents the biggest competitors we have. They're planning something--but we need the land.... Oh, well, I've signed up; the property is mine; but....
gpt
You need a change, he said;
human
I never knew you to worry before. Why don't you jump on the China Mail this afternoon; it connects with a good line out of Shanghai. You can be tramping around the Himalayas to-morrow. A day or two there will fix you up.
gpt
Too busy, said Harkness.
human
Our experimental ship is about ready, so I'll go and play with that. We'll be shooting at the moon one of these days.
gpt
The moon! the other snorted.
human
Crazy dreams! McInness tried it, and you know what happened. He came back out of control--couldn't check his speed against the repelling area--shot through and stripped his helicopters off against the heavy air. And that other fellow, Haldgren--
gpt
Yes, said Harkness quietly,
human
Haldgren--he didn't fall back. He went on into space.
gpt
Impossible! the counsellor objected.
human
He must have fallen unobserved. No, no, Walter; be reasonable. I do not claim to know much about those things--I leave them to the Stratosphere Control Board--but I do know this much: that the lifting effect above the repelling area--what used to be known as the heaviside layer--counteracts gravity's pull. That's why our ships fly as they please when they have shot themselves through. But they have to fly close to it; its force is dissipated in another ten thousand feet, and the old earth's pull is still at work. It can't be done, my boy; the vast reaches of space--
gpt
Are the next to be conquered, Harkness broke in.
human
And Chet and I intend to be in on it.
gpt
Remember how my father was laughed at when he dared to vision the commerce of to-day? Crazy dreams, Warrington? That's what they said when Dad built the first unit of our plant, the landing stages for the big freighters, the docks for ocean ships while they lasted, the berths for the big submarines that he knew were coming. They jeered at him then. 'Harkness' Folly,' the first plant was called. And now--well you know what we are doing.
human
Leave us our crazy dreams, Warrington, he protested;