"So? I'm very pleased. If you do, and want to cash out, I- the government, that is-will pick up the loan from you without discounting it; I've assigned unlimited credit to anything relating to the Senior. Just tell Minerva."
"Thank you, sir. I don't expect to need it-unless Gramp gets tired of me and I see something else I want to invest in.
But the business is prosperous; I may just let Priscilla support me in style for a few years. Quite prosperous-betcha my assets exceed yours. Your private fortune, I mean."
"Don't be silly, my silly daughter; as a private citizen I'm almost a pauper-whereas in my official capacity I could confiscate your assets with just a word to Minerva and no one would question it."
"Except that you never would-you're sweet, Ira."
"Huh?"
"You are...even if you can't remember the names of my children. I'm feeling very gay, Papa, you've made me happy."
"You haven't called me 'Papa' for, oh, fifty or sixty years."
"Because you never encourage intimacy once a child is grown. Nor do I from mine. But this assignment has made me feel closer to you. I'll shut up, sir, and I'll be there early tomorrow. Off?"
"One moment. I forgot to ask where you are. If you're home-"
"I'm not; I'm having a bath with Galahad and Ishtar. About to, that is; you interrupted a wonderful back rub they were giving me."
"Sorry. As you are still in the Palace, I suggest that you stay. To be here early tomorrow. Beg a bed from them Or, if that is intruding, come to my apartments; we'll find something."
"Don't fret about me, Ira. If I can't shame them into keeping me overnight, Minerva will find me a bed. Truly, Lazarus' bed is the only one I've ever found impossible to get into- maybe I need to apply for rejuve."
The Chairman Pro Tem was slow in answering. "Hamadryad...you were serious in proposing to have children by him-were you not?"
"Privacy, sir."
"Sorry. Hmm- The custom of privacy does not forbid me to say that I think it is a very good idea. If you tell me to, I will encourage it in any way I can."
Hamadryad looked at Ishtar and spread her hands in a gesture of "What do I do now?"-then answered: "His refusal seemed very firm, sir."
"Let me offer you a male viewpoint, my daughter. A man often refuses such a proposal when he wants to accept it-a man likes to be sure of a woman's motives and sincerity. At a later time he may accept. I don't mean that you should nag him with it; that would not work. But if you want this bide your time. You're a charming woman; I have confidence in you."
"Yes, sir. If he does give me a child, we would all be richer thereby-would we not?"
"Yes, certainly. But my motives are somewhat different. If he dies or leaves us, there is always the sperm bank and the tissue bank-neither of which he can touch because I'll cheat if necessary. But I don't want him to die, Hamadryad, nor do I want him to leave soon-and I am not, speaking from sentiment. The Senior is unique; I've gone to much trouble not to waste him. Your presence pleases him, your offer stimulates him...even though you feel he reacted badly. You're helping to keep him alive-and if he eventually lets you have his child, you may succeed in keeping him alive a long time. Indefinitely long."
Hamadryad wiggled with pleasure and smiled at Ishtar. "Father, you make me feel proud."
"You have always been a daughter to be proud of, dear. Although I can't claim all the credit; your mother is a most exceptional woman. Off now?"
"Off, with music playing. Good night, sir!"
Without getting up, Hamadryad grabbed both her friends around their waists and hugged them tightly. "Oh, I feel good!"
"So get down off this table, narrow broad; it's my turn."
"You don't need a massage," Ishtar said firmly; "you've been under no emotional strain and the hardest work you've done all day is to beat me two games of murder ball."
"But I'm the spiritual type. Sensitive."
"So you are, dear Galahad, and now you can most spiritually help her down and help me bathe her-still most spiritually."
Galahad complied while complaining "You two ought, to bathe me, instead. Pretend I'm a blind music maker." He closed his eyes and sang:
"'There's a cop around the corner
who is sometimes not so friendly.
To a man whoisn't holding
Or otherwise unlucky-
"That's me-'unlucky'-or I wouldn't have to work with two women in the house. What cycle, Ish?"
"'Relaxing' of course. Hamadear, since you let us hear that call, I assume that I can talk about it. I agree with Ira. You have Lazarus sexually stimulated whether he knows it or not, and if you can keep him that way, he won't be depressed."
"Is he truly that nearly recovered, Ishtar?" Hamadryad asked while raising her arms and "He looks better. But I can't tell-his manner doesn't change."
"Oh, definitely. He started masturbating a month ago. Shampoo, dear?"
"He did? Really? Oh, that's wonderful! Do I need one? Yes, I do-thanks."
'So it's well to
Have a sister
Or even an old uncle-
"Close your eyes, Hambone baby; shampoo mix coming. A client has no privacy with Ishtar. But she didn't tell me; I had to infer it from his graphs. Ish, why do I always wind up washing Ham's back?"
"Because you tickle, sweetheart. There was no need for you to know. But a client certainly has no privacy with Minerva to help-and that's as it should be; we need better computer service at the Clinic, I now see. Although he does have privacy in its true sense, as all of this is covered by the Oath. Even though you are not regular staff, Ham, I'm sure you realize that."
"Oh, certainly! Not quite so hard, Galahad. Red-hot pincers could not make me talk other than to you two. Not even to Ira. Ishtar, do , you think I could learn to be a real rejuvenator?"
"If you feel a vocation for it and want to study that hard. Let it rinse now, Galahad. You have the empathy, I'm sure. What's your index?"
"They're your friends, boy.
Don't neglect them
Birthdays and Yom Kippur-
"Uh...'Genius-minus,' " Hamadryad admitted.
"Takes genius," Galahad said helpfully, "as well as a compulsive need to work; she's a slave driver, Hammy baby."
"'Also Christmas And Chanukah
A card or even candy.'"
"You're off key, dear. You're 'Genius-plus,' Ham, slightly higher than Galahad's index. I looked it up just in case- and you did ask. I'm very pleased."
"'Off key'? Now you've gone too far."
"You have other virtues, my true knight; you need not be a troubadour. Hamadear, if you search your heart and really want it, you could be an associate technician by the time we migrate. If you intend to migrate. If not, the Clinic here always needs staff; a true vocation is scarce. But I'd like-terribly-to have you with us. Both of us will help you."
"Sure we will, Hammy! 'Off key' indeed! Is this colony going to be polygamous?"
"Ask Ira. Does it matter? Grab a robe and throw it around the Hamadarling, then I'll trade a quick scrub with you. I'm hungry."
"Do you want to risk it? After what you said about my singing? I know every spot and I'll tickle them all."
"King's Cross! I apologize! I love your singing, dear."
"The idiom is 'King's X,' Ish. Pax, it is. Grab robes for all of us, Hammy, that's a good girl. Long legs, while I was singing-perfectly on key-I figured out that idiom that was bothering me. It's not what Minerva thought it was; a 'hook shop' is a bordello. Which makes the Born Loser's sister a hetaera-and the last piece falls into place."
"Why, of course! No wonder she could subsidize her brother-artists always get paid more than anyone else."