human
I'm in Las Vegas, he said.
gpt
I tried to get you last night, but I couldn't, so I--
human
Las Vegas, Burris said.
gpt
Well, well. Las Vegas. His face darkened and his voice became very loud.
human
Why aren't you in Yucca Flats?
gpt
Because she insisted on it, Malone said.
human
The old lady. Miss Thompson. She says there's another telepath here.
gpt
Well, that's a relief, he said at last.
human
Somebody in one of the gambling houses, I suppose. Fine, Malone. He went right on without a pause:
gpt
The boys have uncovered two more in various parts of the nation. Not one of them is even close to sane. He opened his eyes.
human
Where's this one?
gpt
In the looney bin,
human
All right. Get him out.
gpt
Right,
human
Tell me, Burris said.
gpt
Why did Miss Thompson insist that you go to Las Vegas? Somebody else could have done the job. You could have sent Boyd, couldn't you?
human
Chief, Malone said slowly,
gpt
Pretty bad, Burris said.
human
As a matter of fact, very bad. Miss Thompson may be off her trolley, but the others haven't even got any tracks. He paused.
gpt
What's that got to do with it?
human
Well, Malone said,
gpt
I figured we'd better handle Miss Thompson with kid gloves--at least until we find a better telepath to work with.
human
Doggone right you'd better, Burris said.
gpt
You treat that old lady as if she were the Queen herself, understand?
human
Don't worry, Malone said unhappily.
gpt
We are. He hesitated.
human
She says she'll help us find our spy, all right, but we've got to do it her way--or else she won't co-operate.
gpt
Do it her way, then, Burris said.
human
That spy--
gpt
Chief, are you sure?
human
Well, then, he said,
gpt
First, he said,
human
And all of them batty,
gpt
Sure, Malone said.
human
A convention of nuts--and me in the middle. Listen, chief--
gpt
Later, Burris said.
human
When this is over we can all resign, or go fishing, or just plain shoot ourselves. But right now the national security is primary, Malone. Remember that.
gpt
O.K., Malone sighed.
human
O.K. But she wants all the nuts here.
gpt
Go along with her, Burris snapped.
human
Keep her happy. So far, Malone, she's the only lead we have on the guy who's swiping information from Yucca Flats. If she wants something, Malone, you do it.
gpt
But, chief--
human
Don't interrupt me, Burris said.
gpt
If she wants to be treated like a queen, you treat her like one. Malone, that's an order!
human
Yes, sir, Malone said sadly.
gpt
But, chief, she wants us to buy her some new clothes.
human
Is that all? New clothes? Get 'em. Put 'em on the expense account. New clothes are a drop in the bucket.
gpt
Well ... she thinks we need new clothes, too.
human
Maybe you do, Burris said.
gpt
Put the whole thing on the expense account. You don't think I'm going to quibble about a few dollars, do you?
human
Well--
gpt
Get the clothes. Just don't bother me with details like this. Handle the job yourself, Malone--you're in charge out there. And get to Yucca Flats as soon as possible.
human
Yes, sir,
gpt
All right, then, Burris said.
human
Call me tomorrow. Meanwhile--good luck, Malone. Chin up.
gpt
Yes, sir,
human
Just one thing,
gpt
Yes, chief?
human
Don't spend any more for the clothes than you have to,