, but have thus
far prevented the formation of any kind of centralized government. Let
us not quibble, Mr. Alhamid; the Belt Companies run the Belt, and that
means that I must deal with officials of those companies--such as
yourself."

Alhamid felt it necessary to make a mild speech in rebuttal. "I cannot
agree with you, Mr. Tarnhorst. I have nothing to do with the government
of Pallas or any of the other asteroids. I am neither an elected nor an
appointed official of any government. Nor, for that matter, am I an
advisor in either an official or unofficial capacity to any government.
I do not make the laws designed to keep the peace, nor do I enforce
them, except in so far as I am a registered voter and therefore have
some voice in those laws in that respect. Nor, again, do I serve any
judiciary function in any Belt government, except inasmuch as I may be
called upon for jury duty.

"I am a business executive, Mr. Tarnhorst. Nothing more. If you have
governmental problems to discuss, then I can't help you, since I'm not
authorized to make any decisions for any government."

Edway Tarnhorst closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his thin nose
between thumb and forefinger. "I understand that. I understand that
perfectly. But out here, the Companies have taken over certain functions
of government, shall we say?"

"Shall we say, rather, that on Earth the government has usurped certain
functions which rightfully belong to private enterprise?" Alhamid said
gently. "Historically, I think, that is the correct view."

Tarnhorst opened his eyes and smiled. "You may be quite correct.
Historically speaking, perhaps, the Earth government has usurped the
functions that rightfully belong to kings, dictators, and warlords. To
say nothing of local satraps and petty chieftains. Hm-m-m. Perhaps we
should return to that? Perhaps we should return to the human suffering
that was endemic in those times?"

"You might try it," said Alhamid with a straight face. "Say, one year
out of every ten. It would give the people something to look forward to
with anticipation and to look back upon with nostalgia." Then he changed
his tone. "If you wish to debate theories of government, Mr. Tarnhorst,
possibly we could get up a couple of teams. Make a public affair of it.
It could be taped and televised here and on Earth, and we could charge
royalties on each--"

Peter Danley's blond, blank face became suddenly animated. He looked as
though he