“Violence is a part of the human condition.”
“Why is that?”
“Because we are built of irrational as well as rational parts. Don’t ask me ‘why’ again. Just do some reading, and look around when you have a chance to observe some people.”
“Does that apply to other creatures than humans?”
“So far as I know, yes. Why?”
“I once saw a couple of ape-people fighting to see who would be boss.”
“What were you doing among them?”
“Just resting in a tree when they came along.”
Reese frowned.
“Why do I feel there’s more to it than that?” he asked.
“Because you were just telling me to avoid people.”
“There were many, I suppose?”
“Oh, the whole tribe, I guess.”
“You must have known it was their stamping grounds.”
“Well, maybe I did, a little. But we hadn’t had this talk yet. Besides, the bracelet works both ways, you know. I can always use it to slip away back to Verite.”
“And in front of a speeding vehicle if you’re not careful.”
“I’m always careful.”
“Those ape-people are a hell of a lot stronger than we are. Tough, and kind of mean, too, I’ve heard.”
“I’d say.”
“Well, I guess you have to start learning to judge sooner or later. Remember everything I said, though, about the bracelet and people.”
Jay nodded his head. “Well-noted,” he said.
“I’ve been around a long time,” Reese said, “and I just realized that I recall something very special about being a boy.”
“What’s that?” Jay asked.
“No matter what you tell them they’re going to do what they want.”
Jay studied him for several moments, then grinned.
“You have a good memory,” he said.
If Reese did not call and none of his companions showed up to keep him company, Jay finally got to the point where he would brave the wilds of Virtu on his own. It was good finally to feel that he was learning his way around the world.
One such morning the following spring, as he wandered between jungle and veldt, he encountered the titanic form of a phant—the biggest phant he had ever caught sight of.
“Excuse me for staring,” he said, “but you are the most impressive creature I’ve ever seen.”
The phant studied him with equal intensity.
“And you look familiar,” it said, halting. “What’s your name?”
“John D’Arcy Donnerjack, Junior,” said the boy.
“Mine is Tranto. There is much to be said for resemblances. I knew your father a few years back. We did each other some good turns.”
“Where did you know him from?”
“One time, I encountered him on his way back from Deep Fields. He was with your mother.”
“There is no such place as Deep Fields!”
Tranto trumpeted something like a laugh. “It ill becomes one to mock when one is not certain,” he said.
“I am being trained in the ways of science.”
“Which, as I understand it, should bespeak an open mind.”
Jay looked downward and kicked sand.
“You’re right,” he said. “Sorry.”
The phant laughed again. “No matter, just where we met. But you’ve put me to thinking.”
“Oh?”
“I was going mad with pain on that occasion, the result of an old injury to the nerves at the base of one of my tusks. Once it starts it doesn’t normally stop until it’s driven me over the deep end. It’s hard for me to remember, but I’ve been told I do some very violent and antisocial things on these occasions.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. Because I’ve been living very happily with a herd of my own kind for a long while now—and it’s starting again. I’m trying to get as far away from them as possible. I have a family as well as friends there. I’ve been their protector. I don’t want to turn on them. So I slipped away early this morning to be alone when it happened. Now who should I meet but the son of the man who actually broke one of my attacks?”
“My dad did that?”
“Yes, and I have a perfect memory when there’s no pain overlay. Now, he was muttering about things called acupressure and shiatsu while he worked on and around it. Do the terms mean anything to you?”
“A bit,” Jay said. “I know the theory somewhat. But I don’t have people I can practice on.”
“If I tell you exactly where he placed his hands and what he did in those places, would you be willing to try?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll lie down then, so it will be easier for you to get at the points.”
“Go ahead.”
Jay drew back as the huge phant knelt, turned, and lay upon his side.
“Impressive,” he muttered.
“First, kind of massage around the base of the top tusk, just kind of gentlelike. That’s how he started.”
“Comin’ up, Tranto.”
“Good. Even if it doesn’t work, I’ll remember you tried. Oddly now, there’s a place between a couple of the toes on the foot on that side…”
Ten minutes later, the big phant was half-dozing.
“Too soon to tell,” he said, “but it feels good. You’ve been at it longer than he was. You’d better go now.”
“I’ve a mind to stick around and see if it worked.”
“You wouldn’t like being stepped on by a friend, would you?”
“No, but I’ve checked it out, and I’ll be okay.”
“Crazy Jay Donnerjack,” said Tranto. “You come from a long line of mad scientists, did you know that?”
“Appearances can be deceptive. Go to sleep. I’ll chase off small predators and swear at big ones. I’ve been anxious to practice my swearing.”
Jay stayed with Tranto much of that day, and when the big phant awoke he looked around, seeing the boy.
“By George, I think you’ve done it,” he said finally.
“It’s good to know there are still a few happy endings left.”
“Yes.”
Tranto rose slowly, stretched, trumpeted. “Guess I’ll be heading back,” he said. “Glad I met another Donnerjack at the right time.”
“Any time,” said the boy. “I’m glad to know my dad was so well liked by so many different people. —You’ve actually seen Deep Fields?”
“Yes, but I just remember things in flashes from when the madness is on me. I left lots of big tracks through entropy, as I recall, and pissed off its boss.”
Jay shuddered.
“There really is an intelligence associated with it?”
“Yes—and with you. You are their firstborn, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t really understand the bond between you and the Lord of Entropy, so I won’t speculate. But for whatever it’s worth, you ought to be aware that there is something strange there.”
“It doesn’t seem there’d be much I could do about it.”
“There is a legend that your father once fought the Lord of Entropy to a draw.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. The only one who might is himself a legendary figure known as the Brass Babboon. I’ve never met him. I heard the story of an old owl, who once passed the time of day in his cab.”
“His cab?”
“Yes, the Brass Babboon is a train.”
“This is all very confusing. Can you tell me how I might find this train?”
“No, I’ve heard that it comes and goes where it would and has a variety of ghost stations and train yards where it is serviced. It must find you, I believe.”
Jay snorted. “I think I’ve lost my scientific open-mindedness,” he said.
“I’m just relaying rumors here, because they pertain to you. No firsthand knowledge. I’m pretty skeptical myself under the circumstances.”