Part-1
Joseph Mauser the line-up from two or three the street, after into Kingston. The local offices of Vacuum Tube Transport, undoubtedly. Baron Haer would be doing his for the with Continental Hovercraft there if for no other than to save on rents. The Baron was on this one and that was bad.
In fact, it was so that as Joe Mauser let his to a level and over its he was still his to up with the Vacuum Tube than with their opponents. Joe was an old pro and old pros do not to be old pros in the Category Military without an to away from sides.
Fine for Low-Lowers and Mid-Lowers to up with this outfit, as to that, by no other than the of the and the stock offered, but an old pro such as budget. Baron Haer was every expense, was, it was rumored, on himself and calling upon relatives and friends for his staff. Continental Hovercraft, on the other hand, was with and was in a position to Stonewall Cogswell himself for their tactician.
However, the die was cast. You didn't up a level, not to speak of two at once, by playing it careful. Joe had planned this out; for once, old pro or not, he was taking risks.
Recruiting line-ups were not for such as he. Not for many a year, many a fracas. He along this one, for the offices ahead, only in the quality of the men who were taking service with Vacuum Tube Transport. These were the soldiers he'd be in the and the looked grim. There were among them. Their stance, their demeanor, their ... well, you tell a though he be Rank Private. You tell a of one fracas. It showed.
He the situation. The word had gone out. Baron Malcolm Haer was for a defeat. You weren't going to up any up with him, and you definitely weren't going to jump a caste. In short, no what Haer's past record, choose what was going to be the side—Continental Hovercraft. Continental Hovercraft and old Stonewall Cogswell who had so that many a Telly couldn't a single one.
Individuals among these men promise, Joe Mauser as he walked, but promise means little if you don't live long to cash in on it.
Take that small man up ahead. He'd got himself into a his place in line against two or three would-be soldiers. The little wasn't a step in of the of the other Lowers to his place. Joe Mauser liked to see such spirit. You use it when you were in the dill.
As he of the altercation, he from the of his mouth, "Easy, lads. You'll all the you want with Hovercraft. Wait until then."
He'd his of authority to be enough, though he was in mufti. He wasn't particularly in the situation, the little man a hand. A would have him as an old-timer and officer, and heeded, automatically.
These weren't veterans.
"Says who?" one of the Lowers at him. "You one of Baron Haer's kids, or something?"
Joe Mauser came to a and the other. He was irritated, with himself. He didn't want to be bothered. Nevertheless, there was no now.
The line of men, all Lowers so as Joe see, had in an hush. They were with their long wait. Now something would the monotony.
By tomorrow, Joe Mauser would be in of some of these men. In as little as a week he would go into a full-fledged with them. He couldn't to face. Not at this point when all, himself, were still garbed. When pickled, in a fracas, you wanted men with complete in you.
The man who had the response was a near physical of Joe Mauser which put him in his early thirties, gave him five eleven of and about one hundred and eighty pounds. His him Low-Lower—nothing to lose. As with many who have nothing to lose, he was to all for principle. His now registered that ideal. Joe Mauser had no authority over him, his friends.
Joe's to the other two who had been the little fellow. They weren't so and as yet had come to no about their stand. Probably the three had been their to the smaller man of his place. However, a moment of and Joe would have a on his hands.
He through no preliminaries. Joe Mauser closer. His right hand forward, not in a but close together and pointed, spear-like. He it into the other's abdomen, the cage—the plexus.
He had the other two. Even as his crumpled, they were upon him, in from each side. And at least one of them, he see now, had been in hand-to-hand before. In short, another pro, like Joe himself.
He took one blow, with it, and his into the of the fighter. He to defenses, plan attack. They pressed him strongly, victory in his retreat.
The one little to him. Joe Mauser have off the in a of seconds, had he been to devote. But the second, the one, was the problem. He and Joe were well matched and with the as an he had all the best of it.
Support came from a source, the little who had been the for the whole hassle. He in now as big as the next man so as was concerned, but a sorry gave him to attack the man, the than the tyro. He took a to the of his which sent him into the line, now of excited, of the fray.
However, the of Joe Mauser's small had taken a moment or two and time was what Joe needed most. For a second he had the alone on his hands and that was sufficient. He a arm, his and into the movements which result in that of the wrestler, the Flying Mare. Just in time he that his was a comrade-in-arms and the arm so that it at the elbow, than breaking. He the other over his and as as possible, to take the out of him, and to meet the attack of his foe.
That phase of the failed to materialize.
A voice of out, "Hold it, you lads!"
The original which had the was being duplicated. But while the three Lowers had failed to respond to Joe Mauser's of authority, there was no failure now.
The owner of the voice, done up in the of Vacuum Tube Transport, complete to and the of the officer of Rank Colonel or above, at them. Age, Joe estimated, as he came to attention, in the late twenties—an Upper in caste. Born to command. His that arrogant, once common to the of Rome, the Prussian Junkers, the British class of the Nineteenth Century. Joe the well. How well he it. On more than one occasion, he had of it.
Joe said, "Yes, sir."
"What in Zen goes on here? Are you overtranked?"
"No, sir," Joe's grumbled, his on the ground, a the principal.
Joe said, evenly, "A private disagreement, sir."
"Disagreement!" the Upper snorted. His to the three combatants, who were in of reviving. "I'd to see you in a scrap."
That a response from the non-combatants in the line. The wasn't that good but has its and the was just of uproarious.
Which to the officer. He his against the of his leg while he ran his up and Joe Mauser and the others, as though them for reference.
"All right," he said. "Get into the line, and you trouble makers down. We're as as we can." And at that point he added to with an almost word for word of what Joe had said a moments earlier. "You'll all the you want from Hovercraft, if you can wait until then."
The four original of the their places in of sheepishness. The little fellow, nursing an jaw, a point of taking up his original position while a look of thanks to Joe Mauser who still where he had when the was interrupted.
The Upper looked at Joe. "Well, lad, are you in up with Vacuum Tube Transport or not?"
"Yes, sir," Joe said evenly. Then, "Joseph Mauser, sir. Category Military, Rank Captain."
"Indeed." The officer looked him up and all over again, his high. "A Middle, I assume. And with recruits." He a long silence. "Very well, come with me." He and off.
Joe shrugged. This was a start for his pitch—a start. He had a mind to give it all up, here and now, and on up to Catskill to with Continental Hovercraft. His big would wait for another day. Nevertheless, he in the and him to the offices which had been his original destination.
Two Rank Privates with 45-70 Springfields and the Haer in such wise as to permanent in Vacuum Tube Transport came to the as they approached. The Upper Joe Mauser his in an easy nonchalance. Joe amusement. How long did it take to learn how to answer a with that of ease?
There were in here, and humming, as Vacuum Tube Transport office workers, for this special service, for the company forces. Harried and junior-grade officers everywhere, to order to the chaos. To the right was a door with a medical newly painted on it. When it occasionally open to admit or a recruit, white-robed doctors, male and men be beyond.
Joe the other through the press and to an office at which door he didn't to knock. He pushed his way through, in with his to the single who looked up from the paper- and tape-strewn at which he sat.
Joe Mauser had the on Telly though so as this and with the of to be read in the expression. Bullet-headed, barrel-figured Baron Malcolm Haer of Vacuum Tube Transport. Category Transportation, Mid-Upper, and candidate for Upper-Upper upon retirement. However, there would be who retirement in the future. Hardly. Malcolm Haer too a in the Vacuum Tube Transport and its rivals.
Joe came to attention, the of his commander-to-be. The older man's to the Upper officer who had Joe along. "What is it, Balt?"
The other with his at Joe. "Claims to be Rank Captain. Looking for a with us, Dad. I wouldn't know why." The last was added lazily.
The older Haer an at his son. "Possibly for the same for a fracas, Balt." His came to Joe.
Joe Mauser, still at attention though in mufti, opened his mouth to give his name, category and rank, but the older man a hand negatively. "Captain Mauser, isn't it? I the Carbonaceous Fuel and United Miners, on the Panhandle Reservation. Seems to me I've you once or twice before, too."
"Yes, sir," Joe said. This was some in the way were going.
The older Haer was at him. "Confound it, what are you doing with no more rank than captain? On the of it, you're an old hand, a veteran."
An old pro, we call ourselves, Joe said to himself. Old pros, we call ourselves, among ourselves.
Aloud, he said, "I was a Mid-Lower, sir."
There was in the old man's face, but Balt Haer said loftily, "What's that got to do with it? Promotion is quick and on in Category Military."
At a point, if you are good officer material, you speak your mind no the rank of the man you are addressing. On this occasion, Joe Mauser needed words. He let his go up and Balt Haer's uniform, taking in the of the Rank Colonel or above. Joe said evenly, "Yes, sir."
Balt Haer quick temper. "What do you by—"
But his father was chuckling. "You have spirit, captain. I need now. You are correct. My son, though a officer, I you, has not in a of the you have to your credit. However, there is something to be said for the available to we Uppers in the academies. For instance, captain, have you a of larger than, well, a company?"
Joe said flatly, "In the Douglas-Boeing Lockheed-Cessna we took a high of officers when the Douglas-Boeing in some fast-firing French we didn't know they had. As my took I was promoted to acting commander, to acting commander, to acting brigadier. For three days I the rank of acting of brigade. We won."
Balt Haer his fingers. "I that. Read a paper on it." He Joe Mauser, almost respectfully. "Stonewall Cogswell got the for the victory and his marshal's as a result."
"He was one of the other officers that survived," Joe said dryly.
"But, Zen! You you got no promotion at all?"
Joe said, "I was to Low-Middle from High-Lower, sir. At my age, at the time, a promotion."
Baron Haer was remembering, too. "That was the that on the from the Sovs. They those were post-1900 and the Universal Disarmament Pact. Yes, I that. Douglas-Boeing was able to prove that the was used by the French as as the Franco-Prussian War." He Joe with new now. "Sit down, captain. You too, Balt. Do you that Captain Mauser is the only of officer rank we've had today?"
"Yes," the Haer said dryly. "However, it's too late to call the off now. Hovercraft wouldn't for it, and the Category Military Department would them. Our only is surrender, and you know what that means."
"It means our family would be from of the firm," the older man growled. "But nobody has on any terms. Nobody, thus far." He at his officer son who took it with an easy and a leg over the of his father's in the way of a seat.
Joe Mauser a chair and himself into it. Evidently, the Balt Haer had no about the spot his father had got the family into. And the man was right, of course.
But the Baron wasn't to any more than he was a coward. He Balt Haer's from his mind and came to Joe Mauser. "As I say, you're the only officer today. Why?"
Joe said evenly, "I wouldn't know, sir. Perhaps Category Military men are elsewhere. There's always a of officers."
Baron Haer was a negatively. "That's not what I mean, captain. You are an old hand. This is your category and you must know it well. Then why are you up with Vacuum Tube Transport than Hovercraft?"
Joe Mauser looked at him for a moment without speaking.
"Come, come, captain. I am an old hand too, in my category, and not a fool. I there is a in the West-world that anything but for my colors. Pay have been posted. I can offer only five common of Vacuum Tube for a Rank Captain, win or lose. Hovercraft is that, and can and choose among the best officers in the hemisphere."
Joe said softly, "I have all the I need."
Balt Haer had been looking and his father and the and more puzzled. He put in, "Well, what in Zen you if it isn't the stock we offer?"
Joe at the Haer to the question but he spoke to the Baron. "Sir, like you said, you're no fool. However, you've been in, this time. When you took on Hovercraft, you were in terms of a dispute. You wanted to one of your up to Fairbanks from Edmonton. You were a minor fracas, possibly five thousand men. You Hovercraft to it up, through their in the Category Military Department, to a which you aren't large to afford. But Hovercraft was of your corporation. You've been away at them too long. So they to do you in. They've Marshal Cogswell and the best officers in North America, and they're the most they can find. Every who Telly, you've had it. They've been you come up the way, the hard way, for a long time, but now they're all going to be on the of their waiting for you to it."
Baron Haer's had as Joe Mauser on relentlessly. He growled, "Is this what thinks?"
"Yes. Everyone to have an opinion." Joe a motion of his to the offices where the was proceeding. "Those men out there are from Catskill, where old Baron Zwerdling is recruiting. Either that or they're Low-Lowers, too to they're their necks out. Not one man in ten is a veteran. And when to pickle, you want veterans."
Baron Malcolm Haer sat in his chair and at Captain Joe Mauser. He said, "At I was that an old time like should choose my uniform, than Zwerdling's. Now I am about motivation. So all over again I ask you, captain: Why are you a in my which you will meet disaster?"
Joe wet his carefully. "I think I know a way you can win."
II
His permanent rank the Haers had no way to alter, but they were of officers that they gave him an acting and pay of major and of a of cavalry. Joe Mauser wasn't in a this fracas, but he said nothing. Immediately, he had to size up the situation; it wasn't time as yet to the big scheme. And, meanwhile, they use him to the Rank Privates into shape.
He had left the offices of Baron Haer to go through the red tape in being up on a temporary in the Vacuum Tube Transport forces, and the of the offices where the Lowers were being and medicals. He in time to into a Telly team which was doing a live broadcast.
Joe Mauser the news who the team. He'd into him two or three times in fracases. As a of fact, although Joe the Military Category against Telly, he had a respect for this particular newsman. On the occasions he'd him before, the was in the of the action when were in the dill. He took as many as did the combatant, and you can't ask for more than that.
The other him, too, of course. It was part of his job to be able to spot the and near celebrities. He in on Joe now, making of his hand to direct the cameras. Joe, of course, was aware of the value of Telly and was to co-operate.
"Captain! Captain Mauser, isn't it? Joe Mauser who out for four days in the of Louisiana with a single company while his officers him."
That was one way of it, but Joe and the who had the the of the situation. When the had collapsed, his commanders—of Upper caste, of course—had out, him to a action while they their with the enemy, to the best terms possible. Yes, that had been the United Oil Allied Petroleum fracas, and Joe had with little either in or pelf.
The wasn't on an level to anything other than victory. The good win, the lose—that's obvious, isn't it? Not one out of ten Telly of the was in a well-conducted or action. They wanted blood, of it, and they with the side.
Joe Mauser wasn't particularly about this aspect. It was part of his way of life. In fact, his was the buff. The type, man or woman, who every you'd been in, every time you'd one, and how long you'd been in the hospital. Fans who remember, than you could, every time the had on you and you'd had to your way out as best you could. They'd tell you about it, their gleaming, sometimes a of at the of their mouths. They wanted an autograph, or a such as a button.
Now Joe said to the Telly reporter, "That's right, Captain Mauser. Acting major, in this fracas, ah—"
"Freddy. Freddy Soligen. You me, captain—"
"Of I do, Freddy. We've been in the dill, by side, more than once, and when I was too to use my arm, you'd be away with your camera."
"Ha ha, to the captain, folks. I my is in. But seriously, Captain Mauser, what do you think the of Vacuum Tube Transport are in this fracas?"
Joe looked into the camera lens, earnestly. "The best, of course, or I wouldn't have up with Baron Haer, Freddy. Justice triumphs, and who is familiar with the in this fracas, that Baron Haer is on the of true right."
Freddy said, any he must have felt, "What would you say the were, captain?"
"The North American free enterprise right to compete. Hovercraft has a near in transport to Fairbanks. Vacuum Tube Transport to and the of Fairbanks service through a to that area. What be more in the of the West-world? Continental Hovercraft in the way and it is they who have of the Category Military Department a trial by arms. On the of it, is on the of Baron Haer."
Freddy Soligen said into the camera, "Well, all you good people of the Telly world, that's an able the captain has made, but it doesn't with the of Baron Zwerdling we this morning, it? However, and we'll see what the of will have to offer. Thank you, thank you very much, Captain Mauser. All of us, all of us in today, that you personally will into no in this fracas."
"Thanks, Freddy. Thanks all," Joe said into the camera, away. He wasn't particularly about this part of the job, but you couldn't the of the buffs. In the long it was your career, your for promotion in rank and in caste. It was the way the fans took you up, you, you, you if you it. He, Joe Mauser, was only a minor celebrity, he every he had to be by such a popular as Freddy Soligen.
Even as he turned, he the four men with he'd had his earlier. The little was still to the fore. Evidently, the others had the one place that he wasn't the trouble he'd put in their way it.
On an he up to the small man who a of recognition, a that his face. A of an in a world which had much of its warmth.
Joe said, "Like a job, soldier?"
"Name's Max. Max Mainz. Sure I want a job. That's why I'm in this line."
Joe said, "First for you, isn't it?"
"Yeah, but I had in school."
"What do you weigh, Max?"
Max's soured. "About one twenty."
"Did you check out on in school?"
"Well, sure. I'm Category Food, Sub-division Cooking, Branch Chef, but, like I say, I took training, like most else."
"I'm Captain Joe Mauser. How'd you like to be my batman?"
Max up his already not face. "Gee, I don't know. I joined up to see some action. Get into the dill. You know what I mean."
Joe said dryly, "See here, Mainz, you'll more next to me than you'll want—and you'll come out alive."
The looked up from the desk. It was Max Mainz's turn to be processed. The said, "Lad, take a good opportunity when it in your lap. The captain is one of the best in the field. You'll learn more, for promotion, if you with him."
Joe couldn't having into the before, but he said, "Thanks, sergeant."
The other said, Joe didn't him, "We were together on the Chihuahua Reservation, on the the United Miners and the Teamsters, sir."
It had been almost fifteen years ago. About all that Joe Mauser of that was the number of they'd taken. His had lost, but from this in time Joe couldn't what he'd been with. But now he said, "That's right. I I you, sergeant."
"It was my fracas, sir." The businesslike. "If you want I should this though, captain—"
"Please do, sergeant." Joe added to Max, "I'm not sure where my will be. When you're through all this, the officer's and wait there for me."
"Well, O.K.," Max said doubtfully, still but a of an officer, if he wanted to be or not.
"Sir," the added ominously. "If you've had basic, you know how to address an officer."
"Well, yessir," Max said hurriedly.
Joe to turn away, but then the man Max Mainz. He was one of the three with Joe had earlier, the one who'd had previous experience. He pointed the man out to the sergeant. "You'd give this at least temporary rank of corporal. He's a and we're of veterans."
The said, "Yes, sir. We sure are." Joe's looked properly thankful.
Joe Mauser off his own red tape and for the to a tailor who do him up a set of the Haer and his other dress requirements. As he went, he just how many different he had in his time.
In a career as long as his own from time to time you took semi-permanent positions in bodyguards, company police, or possibly the permanent of this or that. But largely, if you were ambitious, you up for the and that meant into a and out of it again in as a period as a of weeks.
At the door he to move but was too slow for the quick moving woman who off him. He her arm to prevent her from stumbling. She looked at him with less than thanks.
Joe took the for the collision. "Sorry," he said. "I'm I didn't see you, Miss."
"Obviously," she said coldly. Her up and him, and for a moment he where he had her before. Somewhere, he was sure.
She was as they dress who have cost and she had an which would have been the more hadn't her such a outlook. Her were more than those to which he was attracted. Her were less full, but still— He was of the of the British Romantic Period, the of by Byron and Keats, Shelly and Moore.
She said, "Is there any particular why you should be at me, Mr.—"
"Captain Mauser," Joe said hurriedly. "I'm I've been rude, Miss—Well, I I you."
She took in his dress, it automatically, and came to an conclusion. She said, "Captain? You that with else I know ranks from Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier General, you can't make anything than Captain?"
Joe winced. He said carefully, "I came up from the ranks, Miss. Captain is an achievement, me."
"Up from the ranks!" She took in his again. "You you're a Middle? You neither talk look like a Middle, captain." She used the as though it was not a term.
Not that she meant to be insulting, Joe knew, wearily. How well he knew. It was in her. As once a well-educated had, not necessarily unkindly, named their niggers; or other aristocrats, in another area of the country, had named theirs greasers. Yes, how well he knew.
He said very evenly, "Mid-Middle now, Miss. However, I was in the Lower castes."
An up. "Zen! You must have put in many an hour studying. You talk like an Upper, captain." She all in him and to her journey.
"Just a moment," Joe said. "You can't go in there, Miss—"
Her up again. "The name is Haer," she said. "Why can't I go in here, captain?"
Now it came to him why he had he her. She had to those of that poppycock, Balt Haer.
"Sorry," Joe said. "I under the circumstances, you can. I was about to tell you that they're with around clothed. Medical inspections, that of thing."
She a noise through her nose and said over her shoulder, as she on. "Besides being a Haer, I'm an M.D., captain. At the of a man about in his shorts, I blush."
She was gone.
Joe Mauser looked after her. "I'll you don't," he muttered.
Had she waited a minutes he have his Upper and his education. When you'd one you had of opportunity in hospital to read, to study, to contemplate—and to away in your own of against fate. And Joe had many in his time.
III
By the time Joe Mauser called it a day and retired to his he was to the point where his with the he was upon him.
He had met his senior officers, Uppers with little experience, and was unimpressed. And he'd met his own junior officers and was shocked. By the looks of at this stage, Captain Mauser's would be going into this with Rank Privates and with junior officers of promoted noncoms. If this was of Baron Haer's total force, then Balt Haer had been correct; was to be considered, no how to Haer family fortunes.
Joe had been able to take of one uniform. Now, his quarters, he out of his jacket. Somewhat to his surprise, the small man he had in the day to be his entered from an room, also in the Haer and so.
He helped his out of the jacket with an that no but at the same time was respectful. You'd have him a trained.
Joe grunted, "Max, isn't it? I'd about you. Glad you our all right."
Max said, "Yes, sir. Would the captain like a drink? I up a bottle of applejack. Applejack's the drink around here, sir. Makes a with and a of lemon."
Joe Mauser looked at him. Evidently his this man for had been fortune. Well, Joe Mauser use some good luck on this job. He it didn't end with a batman.
Joe said, "An wonderful, Max. Got ice?"
"Of course, sir." Max left the small room.
Joe Mauser and his officers were in what had once been a on the old road Kingston and Woodstock. There was a and a in each cottage. That was one in a in an area where there were of facilities. Such as that of the Little Big Horn in Montana and particularly some of those in the South West and Mexico, were another thing.
Joe himself into the room's easy-chair and to his laces. He his shoes off. He use that drink. He all over again if his for this Vacuum Tube Transport Continental Hovercraft would come off. The more he saw of Baron Haer's forces, the more he wondered. He hadn't Vacuum Tube to be in this a shape. Baron Haer had been high for so long that one would have his for victory would have many a to his colors. Evidently they hadn't bitten. The word was out all right.
Max Mainz returned with the drink.
Joe said, "You had one yourself?"
"No, sir."
Joe said, "Well, Zen, go one and come on and down. Let's acquainted."
"Well, yessir." Max into the to return almost immediately. The little man into a chair, drink in hand.
His sized him up, all over again. Not much more than a kid, really. Surprisingly for a Lower who must have been from in a trank-bemused, Telly-entertained household. The that he'd away from that at all was to his credit, it was to conform. But then it is always to conform, to with the herd, as Joe well knew. His own hadn't been an easy one. "Relax," he said now.
Max said, "Well, this is my day."
"I know. And you've been Telly all your life how an himself in the presence of his superior." Joe took another and yawned. "Well, about it. With any man who goes into a with me, I like to be on close terms. When pickle, I want him to be on my side, not nursing some on by his officer trying to give him an complex."
The little man was him in surprise.
Joe his and came to his to another one. He said, "On two occasions I've had an save my life. I'm not taking any but that there might be a third opportunity."
"Well, yessir. Does the captain want me to him—"
"I'll it," Joe said.
When he'd returned to his chair, he said, "Why did you join up with Baron Haer, Max?"
The other it off. "The usual. The excitement. The idea of all those fans me on Telly. The of common stock I'll get. And, you know, maybe a promotion in caste. I wouldn't mind making Upper-Lower."
Joe said sourly, "One and you'll be over that to have the you on Telly while they around in their rooms on tranks. And you'll be over the for the excitement, too. Of course, the of stock is another thing."
"You aren't just countin' down, captain," Max said, an almost in his voice. "You don't know what it's like being with no more common stock than a Mid-Lower."
Joe his peace, at his drink, taking this one more slowly. He let his to the other to go on.
Max said doggedly, "Sure, they call it People's Capitalism and to him a all the way from the to the grave, like they say. But let me tell you, you're a Middle and you don't how the of a Lower can be."
Joe yawned. If he hadn't been so tired, there would have been more in the situation.
Max was still dogged. "Unless you can add to those of stock, it's drab, captain. You wouldn't know."
Joe said, "Why don't you work? A Lower can always add to his stock by working."
Max in indignity. "Work? Listen, sir, that's just one more that's been right out of existence. Category Food Preparation, Sub-division Cooking, Branch Chef. Cooking isn't left in the hands of who might a cake of soap into the soup. It's done automatic. The only new in cooking are by top experts, almost scientists like. And most of them are Uppers, mind you."
Joe Mauser inwardly. So his in wasn't going to be as as all that, after all. The man might have been into the food category from a long line of chefs, but he little about his field. Joe might have suspected. He himself had been into Clothing Category, Sub-division Shoes, Branch Repair—Cobbler—a meaningless since shoes were no longer repaired but upon of wear. In an economy of complete abundance, there is little for repair of commodities. It was high time the government category and and the nation's population. But then, of course, was the question of what to do with the unemployed.
Max was saying, "The only way I on a promotion to a higher caste, or the only way to earn stock shares, was by categories. And you know what that means. Either Category Military, or Category Religion and I sure as Zen don't know nothing about religion."
Joe said mildly, "Theoretically, you can into any you want, Max."
Max snorted. "Theoretically is right ... sir. You about a Lower, or a Middle like yourself, to, say, some Upper category like banking?"
Joe chuckled. He liked this little fellow. If Max out as well as Joe he might, there was a possibility of taking him along to the next fracas.
Max was saying, "I'm not saying anything against the old time way of doing or talking against the government, but I'll tell you, captain, every year goes by it and for a man to his or to earn some additional stock shares."
The had on Joe for him to against one of his peeves. He said, "That term, the old time way, is Telly talk, Max. We don't do the old time way. No nation in history has—with the possible of Egypt. Socio-economics are in a and here in this country we no more do in the way they did fifty years ago, than fifty years ago they did them the way the American Revolutionists in the Eighteenth Century."
Max was at him. "I don't that, sir."
Joe said impatiently, "Max, the politico-economic we have today is an of what earlier. The state, the of the quo, the Frigid Fracas the West-world and the Sov-world, until useful is all but needless—all these were to be in more than fifty years ago."
"Well, maybe the captain's right, but you admit, sir, that mostly we do the old way. We still got the Constitution and the two-party and—"
Joe was of the now. You ran into anyone, in Middle caste, the professional class, in such to be with. He said, "The Constitution, Max, has got to the point of the Bible. Interpret it the way you wish, and you can anything. If not, you can always make a new amendment. So as the two-party is concerned, what it have when there are no the two parties? That phase of pseudo-democracy was as as the 1930s when they State laws the of new political parties. By the time they were against a third party its way through the of election laws, the two parties had so that almost as big a as over in the Sov-world."
"A farce?" Max indignantly, his status. "That means not so good, doesn't it? Far as I'm concerned, election day is tops. The one day a Lower is just as good as an Upper. The one day how many you got makes no difference. Everybody has everything."
"Sure, sure, sure," Joe sighed. "The modern of the Roman Bacchanalia. Election day in the West-world when no one, for just that one day, is than anyone else."
"Well, what's with that?" The other was all but belligerent. "That's the trouble with you Middles and Uppers, you don't know how it is to be a Lower and—"
Joe suddenly, "I was a Mid-Lower myself, Max. Don't give me that nonsense."
Max at him, unbelieving.
Joe's away. He out his glass. "Get us a of more drinks, Max, and I'll tell you a story."
By the time the fresh drink came, Joe Mauser was sorry he'd the offer. He back. He hadn't told anyone the Joe Mauser in many a year. And, as he recalled, the last time had been when he was well into his cups, on an election day at that, and his had been a Low-Upper, a aristocrat, one of the one of the upper of the nation. Zen! How the man had laughed. He'd his till the ran.
However, Joe said, "Max, I was in the same you were—average father, mother, sisters and brothers. They on the from birth, sat and Telly for an number of hours each day, took to keep themselves happy. And I was I didn't. Dad was the of man who'd take his off to a child of his who questioned such as What was good for Daddy is good for me.
"They were all fans, of course. As as I can the picture is there of them around the Telly, excitement." Joe Mauser sneered, uncharacteristically.
"You don't much like you're in of your trade, captain," Max said.
Joe came to his feet, his still half-full glass. "I'll make this short, Max. As you said, the two actually methods of above the level in which you were are in the Military and Religious Categories. Like you, I couldn't the latter."
Joe Mauser hesitated, then it off. "Max, there have been that man has that didn't allow in some manner for the or sly, the or the opportunist, the or the strong, to work his way to the top. I don't know which of these I personally fit into, but I against in the of a society. Do I make myself clear?"
"Well, no sir, not exactly."
Joe said flatly, "I'm going to my way to the top, and nothing is going to in the way. Is that clearer?"
"Yessir," Max said, taken aback.
