he automatic tuner on the box corrected to bring the Chief's
image in wire-sharp focus.

"Yes, sir?"

"About the dinner tonight. Just checking to make sure you're planning to
be there. We want a full turnout. An inspection team has come up from
Earth and we have two visiting dignitaries from Venus."

Stark nodded and waited for the Chief to say something else, but the
visi-screen blanked out.

Carol said, "That was Dad, wasn't it?"

Stark felt very depressed suddenly. "Haven't you told him yet?"

"No. He's been tied up with those inspectors all afternoon. And you know
how Dad is, Johnny. There's a right and a wrong time to tell him things.
Right now, he's only interested in hearing about Earth."

"But we're supposed to announce our engagement tonight at the dinner."
He shook his head. "We can't go on forever with just a few stolen
moments here and there, eating an occasional lunch or third meal
together in little out-of-the-way places."

Carol laughed, the youthful swell of her breasts against the soft,
spun-glass material of her blouse. "Don't worry so, Johnny! I'm a big
girl now. This is my eighteenth birthday. Dad's bark is much worse than
his bite. I'll tell him about us on the way home."

She moved closer to him, until he could feel the warmth of her body. He
could see the warm, damp indentation where her breathing globe had
rested against her shoulders and chest.

She asked teasingly, "What did you get me for my birthday, Johnny?
Something real nice?"

"What did you want?" Johnny asked her gently.

* * * * *

And suddenly she wasn't teasing any more. She put her arms around him.
"Dad and my brother would say I'm crazy. But all I want, Johnny, is you.
Just you! You know that."

Stark had picked out her birthday present, but he wanted it to be a
surprise for that night. He said, "I already saw one of your presents. A
black jet car!"

"How did you know that?"

"I saw you drive up in it a few minutes ago."

Carol giggled. "Dad gave it to me. Did you see me plow through that
crowd waiting for the auto bus?"

"Did your brother send you anything?"

She nodded. "Three new outfits from Earth. They were on the same liner
that brought the inspection team to the Settlement this morning. Oh,
yes, and the captain of the liner brought me this."

She showed him the tiny pin she wore attached to her collar. The pin
itself was a carefully wrought but cruel caricature of an aw