human
So my brother's a gambler,
gpt
You say it as if you were saying, _so my brother's a pickpocket_, or _so my brother's a cutpurse_. It's a perfectly legitimate way of making a living. Hawkes' eyes hardened suddenly, and in a flat quiet voice added,
human
The way to stay out of trouble on Earth is to avoid being preachy, son. This isn't a pretty world. There are too many people on it, and not many can afford the passage out to Gamma Leonis IV or Algol VII or some of the nice uncluttered colony-worlds. So while you're in York City keep your eyes wide and your mouth zippered, and don't turn your nose up at the sordid ways people make their livings.
gpt
Sorry, Max. I didn't mean to sound preachy.
human
I know, kid. You lead a pretty sheltered life on those starships. And nobody can adjust to Earthside life in a day. How about a drink?
gpt
Okay. How about Scotch--is that the stuff MacIntosh was drinking?
human
Fair enough,