human
A very funny prank, Max. But suppose I had burned your friend's belly, or he had stabbed me?
gpt
One of the risks of the game, I guess. But I know you too well to think that you'd burn down an unarmed man, and John didn't intend to stab you. Besides, I was right here.
human
And what was the point of this little demonstration?
gpt
Part of your education, m'boy. I was hoping you'd be held up by one of the local gangs, but they didn't oblige, so I had to do it myself. With John's help, of course. Next time remember that there may be an accomplice hiding in the shadows, and that you're not safe just because you've caught one man.
human
Good point. And I guess this is the best way to learn it.
gpt
Johnny's a dreamduster--a narcosephrine addict. In the early stages; you can spot it by the yellowing of the eyeballs. Later on it'll cripple him, but he doesn't worry about later on.
human
Here's another facet of your education, he said. He looked at Hawkes.
gpt
Is it okay?
human
Take a squint at this capsule, boy. It's dreamdust--narcosephrine. That's my kick.
gpt
You twist the cap and sniff a little, Hawkes said.
human
But don't try it unless you hate yourself real bad. Johnny can testify to that.
gpt
What does the stuff do?
human
It's a stimulant--a nerve-stimulant. Enhances perception. It's made from a weed that grows only in dry, arid places--comes from Epsilon Eridani IV originally, but the galaxy's biggest plantation is in the Sahara. It's habit-forming--and expensive.
gpt
How much of it do you have to take to--to get the habit?
human
One sniff. And the drug takes all your worries away. You're nine feet tall and the world's your plaything, when you're up on dream dust. Everything you look at has six different colors. Bitterly Byng said,
gpt
Just one catch--after about a year you stop feeling the effect. But not the craving. That stays with you forever. Every night, one good sniff--at a hundred credits a sniff. And there's no cure.