Short Stories by Robert A. Heinlein Vol 2 Part 60

'I come to you,' Stevens said seriously, 'for the same reason everybody else comes to you when they are really stuck with an engineering problem. So far as I know, you have an unbroken record of solving any problem you cared to tackle. Your record reminds me of another man-'

'Who?' Waldo's tone was suddenly sharp.

'Edison. He did not bother with degrees either, but he solved all the hard problems of his day.'

'Oh, Edison- I thought you were speaking of a contemporary.

No doubt he was all right in his day,' he added with overt generosity.

'I was not comparing him to you, I was simply recalling that

Edison was reputed to prefer hard problems to easy ones.

I've heard the same about you; I had hopes that this problem might be hard enough to interest you.~

'It is mildly interesting,' Waldo conceded. 'A little out of my line, but interesting. I must say, however, that I am surprised to hear you, an executive of North American

Power-Air, express such a high opinion of my talents. One would think that, if the opinion were sincere, it would not have been difficult to convince your firm of my indisputable handiwork in the matter of the so-called Hathway patents.'

Really, thought Stevens, the man is impossible. A mind like a weasel. Aloud, he said, 'I suppose the matter was handled by the business management and the law staff. They would hardly be equipped to distinguish between routine engineering and inspired design.'

The answer seemed to mollify Waldo. He asked, 'What does your own research staff say about the problem?'

Stevens looked wry. 'Nothing helpful. Dr Rambeau does not really seem to believe the data I bring him. He says it's impossible, but it makes him unhappy. I really believe that he has been living on aspirin and nembutal for a good many weeks.'

'Rambeau,' Waldo said slowly. 'I recall the man. A mediocre mind. All memory and no intuition. I don't think I would feel discouraged simply because Rambeau is puzzled.'

'You really feel that there is some hope?'

'It should not be too difficult. I had already given the matter some thought, after Mr Gleason's phone call. You have given me additional data, and I think I see at least two new lines of approach which may prove fruitful. In any case, there is always some approach - the correct one.'

'Does that mean you will accept?' Stevens demanded, nervous with relief.

'Accept?' Waldo's eyebrows climbed up. 'My dear sir, what in the world are you talking about? We were simply indulging in social conversation. I would not help your company under any circ.u.mstances whatsoever. I hope to see your firm destroyed utterly, bankrupt, and ruined. This may well be the occasion.

Stevens fought to keep control of himself. Tricked! The fat slob had simply been playing with him, leading him on. There was no decency in him. In careful tones he continued,

'I do not ask that you have any mercy on North American,

Mr Jones, but I appeal to your sense of duty. There is public interest involved. Millions of people are vitally dependent on the service we provide. Don't you see that the service must continue, regardless of you or me?'

Waldo pursed his lips. 'No,' he said, 'I am afraid that does not affect me. The welfare of those nameless swarms of Earth crawlers is, I fear, not my concern. I have done more for them already than there was any need to do.

They hardly deserve help. Left to their own devices, most of them would sink back to caves and stone axes. Did you ever see a performing ape, Mr Stevens, dressed in a man's clothcs and cutting capers on roller skates? Let me leave you with this thought: I am not a roller-skate mechanic for apes.'

If I stick around here much longer, Stevens advised himself, there will be h.e.l.l to pay. Aloud, he said, 'I take it that is your last word?'

'You may so take it. Good day, sir. I enjoyed your visit.

Thank you.'

'Goodbye. Thanks for the dinner.'

'Not at all.'

As Stevens turned away and prepared to shove himself towards the exit, Grimes called after him, 'Jimmie, wait for me in the reception room.

As soon as Stevens was out of earshot, Grimes turned to Waldo and looked him up and down. 'Waldo,' he said slowly, 'I always did know that you were one of the meanest, orneriest men alive, but-'

'Your compliments don't faze me, Uncle Gus.'

'Shut up and listen to me. As I was saying, I knew you were too rotten selfish to live with, but this is the first time I ever knew you to be a fourflusher to boot.'

'What do you mean by that? Explain yourself.'

'Shucks! You haven't any more idea of how to crack the problem that boy is up against than I have. You traded on your reputation as a miracle man just to make him unhappy.

Why, you cheap tinhorn bluffer, if you-'

'Stop it!'

'Go ahead,' Grimes said quietly. 'Run up your blood pressure.

I won't interfere with you. The sooner you blow a gasket the better.'

Waldo calmed down. 'Uncle Gus - what makes you think I was blufiing?'

'Because I know you. If you had felt able to deliver the goods, you would have looked the situation over and worked out a plan to get

NAPA by the short hair, through having something they had to have.

That way you would have proved your revenge.'

Waldo shook his head. 'You underestimate the intensity of my feeling in the matter.'

'I do like h.e.l.l! I hadn't finished. About that sweet little talk you gave him concerning your responsibility to the race. You've got a head on you. You know d.a.m.ned well, and so do I, that of all people you can least afford to have anything serious happen to the setup down on Earth. That means you don't see any way to prevent it.

'Why, what do you mean? I have no interest in such troubles; I'm independent of such things. You know me better than that.'

'Independent, eh? Who mined the steel in these walls? Who raised that steer you dined on tonight? You're as independent as a queen bee, and about as helpless.'

Waldo looked startled. He recovered himself and answered, 'Oh no,

Uncle Gus. I really am independent. Why, I have supplies here for years.'

'How many years?'

'Why. . . uh, five, about.'