human
Well, what do you know,
gpt
What is it this time?
human
A trophy, that's what. He peered at it.
gpt
He strode to Paresi and snatched away the bottle. He poured liquor on the head of the figurine.
human
Have a drink, little guy.
gpt
Let me see that.
human
Oh, dear God....
gpt
Put it down, put it down, said the doctor in a choked voice.
human
It's--Johnny....
gpt
Oh it is, it is, breathed the Captain. He put down the statuette gingerly on the table, hesitated, then turned its face away from them. With abrupt animation he swung to Paresi.
human
Hey! You didn't say it looked like Johnny. You said it _was_ Johnny!
gpt
Did I?
human
Yup. He grinned wolfishly.
gpt
Not bad for a psychologist. What a peephole you opened up! Graven images, huh?
human
Shut up, Anderson, said Paresi tiredly.
gpt
I told you I'm not going to let you needle me.
human
Aw now, it's all in fun, said the Captain. He plumped down and threw a heavy arm across Anderson's shoulders.
gpt
Le's be friends. Le's sing a song.
human
Leave me alone. Leave me alone.
gpt
I wonder....
human
Damn it--_what_ do you wonder?
gpt
Oh, said the Captain jovially,
human
I was just wondering what you'll be.
gpt
What are you talking about?
human
Johnny turned into what he thinks he is. A little guy with a big victory. Hoskins, there, he's going to be a slide-rule, jus' you wait and see. Ol' Ives, that's easy. He's goin' to be a beer barrel, with beer in it. Always did have a head on him, Ives did. He stopped to laugh immoderately at Paresi's darkening face.
gpt
Me, I have no secrets no more. I'm going to be a coat of arms--a useless philosophy rampant on a field of stars. He put the open mouth of the bottle against his forehead and pressed it violently, lowered it and touched the angry red ring it left between his eyes.
human
Mark of the beast, he confided.
gpt
Caste mark. Zero, that's me and my whole damn family. The die is cast, the caste has died. He grunted appreciatively and turned again to Paresi.
human
But what's old Nicky going to be?
gpt
Don't call me Nicky,