Chapter 12 Chapter Eleven

At the beginning of 2076, my work was very busy, but the client still could not be neglected.I can procrastinate and turn around party work whenever I can, but it still takes more and more time.I have to make all kinds of decisions and communicate all kinds of messages every day.I also had to find time for hours of intense physical training with weights.We can't use the centrifuges in the government complex, the kind that geoscientists use to extend their stay on the moon when they visit - I've used them before, but I can't this time, don't want to make a fuss and make it public Announce that I am all ready to go to Earth.

Without a centrifuge, the efficiency of exercise is greatly reduced.In addition, I don't know if it is really necessary to strengthen the exercise and go to the earth, so it is extremely boring.But according to Mike's analysis, some people who can defend the party may be needed to go to Earth in the future, and the probability of this is as high as 30%. I don't see how I look like an ambassador. I have no culture, let alone diplomatic rhetoric.It is clear that the professor is, or probably is, the preferred figure among many members of the party.But the professor is old and may not be able to reach the earth alive.Mike told us that a person of Professor's age and physical condition had less than a 40 percent chance of reaching Earth alive.

But the professor happily insisted on receiving high-intensity physical training every day, striving for his pitifully small opportunity.So, what can I say?Just loads, exercises, ready to take over when his aging heart stops beating.Wyoh was doing the same training, with the excuse that I too might not be able to make the trip for some reason.In fact, she felt that by doing so she was sharing my pains and sorrows.Wyoh always did things like this, substituting nobility for logic. In addition to company affairs, party duties, and physical exercise, I also had to do farm work.Although there were two good boys, Frank and Ali, there were three sons who got married and lived alone.Then, Greg also went to the "Moon House" company as a drilling foreman for another catapult project.

Greg being the foreman solved one of our big problems.Because we've been racking our brains to hire construction crews.While most work can be done by non-Party personnel, some key locations must be guarded by capable and politically reliable Party personnel.Greg hadn't wanted to go because the farm needed him and he didn't want to leave the group.But in the end he agreed. So I got another part-time job - tending the pigs and chickens on the farm.Hans is a good hand on the farm. He can carry more goods and do more farm work than two people.The old man has been managing the farm for Greg since his retirement, and Hans worries about his ability to take on the new role.I was supposed to take over the farm because I'm older.But Hans is a better farmer than I am, and a better fit for the job, and I've always hoped he'd succeed Greg one day.So I always agree with him and support him.Help out on the farm whenever possible.Too busy to even have time to tickle.

In late February, I returned from a long trip to New Lyon, Lower Tycho, and Churchill.The new tube rail across Sinus Medi opened, so I went to Moon City, Singapore.It's a business in name.I did sign a couple of contracts, promising to provide emergency services to them.This service was not possible before, when the bus from Ensville to Berrudi was only available during the fortnight when the sun did not shine. Business is nothing more than a cover for politics.We have had very little contact with Singapore.Wyoh also did a good job of contacting by phone.Comrade Clayton, number two in her cell, was an old comrade of hers, whom Wyoh spoke highly of, and who was not recorded in Alvarez's zebra file.We introduced our organizational policies to him, warned him to beware of internal rotten apples, and encouraged him to establish a branch in Yuecheng, Singapore.Wyoh also admonished him not to touch the old organizations of the past, just to keep his membership in the old organizations.

But a phone call is not an interview.Singapore was long overdue to be our main stronghold: the government has less tight control over it because the public facilities in the area are not under the control of the government complex.Since the two places did not pass the iron pipe before, many local products were not sent to the ejection chamber, so it is relatively less dependent on the government.In addition, Singapore's financial strength is also stronger, and the banknotes issued by the Singapore Moon City Bank are more valuable than government bonds. I think that from a legal point of view, Singapore monthly coupons are not considered "money".The government doesn't recognize it.I have been to Earth several times, and I have to exchange for government vouchers when buying tickets.But all I brought with me were Singapore vouchers, because government vouchers are almost worthless on earth, and Singapore vouchers were discounted in value very little.Regardless of whether it is money or not, the banknotes issued by the Bank of Singapore have always been supported by honest Chinese bankers and will not be devalued due to government actions. 100 Singapore notes are equivalent to 31.1 grams of gold (old troy ounces), which you can exchange for the equivalent amount of gold at the local office if you wish - they do have gold in stock, shipped from Australia.Needless to say, you can also buy direct merchandise: non-canned water, various grades of steel, heavy water for power plants, and various other things.Of course, these things can also be purchased with government vouchers, but the price will continue to rise.I'm not a fiscal theorist, and every time Mike explains it to me, I get dizzy.All I know is that we like to accept money that isn't money, and that government bills are only accepted grudgingly, and not just because we hate government.

Singapore should have been a battleground for our party long ago, but it is not yet.So everyone decided to let me go there once, take the risk, and communicate with the people there face to face.Some people will definitely know my identity because of this. It is unlikely that a person like me who only has one arm wants to disguise himself so that no one can recognize him.The stakes are high, and if something happens to me, it's not just me, but Wyoh, Sister, Sidiris, and Greg.But how can a revolution be without danger? When I got there, I found that Comrade Clayton was a young Japanese--not very young, but Japanese people are like that, always young, and then suddenly old at a certain time.He is not a pure Japanese, he has Malay and some other ancestry, but he has a Japanese name, and his family life follows the Japanese tradition.He values ​​humanity and loyalty.I'm lucky because he owes Wyoh a lot.

Clayton's ancestors were not prisoners, they had "voluntarily" come on board at gunpoint by their government.I have no prejudice against Clayton, who, like the old convicts, is full of hatred for the Warden. The first time I met him was in a tea room - equivalent to a bar in Moon City.We talked for two hours, about everything but politics.He decided that he could make me this friend, so he took me home.The Japanese are very hospitable.My only dissatisfaction is that the bath water is as high as my chin, which is too hot. In the end, I ran into no danger.The proprietress of the beauty salon is as skilled in makeup as Sidi Lisi.That social arm is already realistic, and the kimono just hides the seams of it.

In two days, I met four groups as "Comrade Bock", each time in disguise: wearing kimono, Japanese socks, even if spies were in the mix, they would not recognize me as Manuel · O'Kelly.I have informed you of many important developments. For several days, we had only one topic of discussion: the famine of 2082, six years later. "You're lucky that disaster won't happen so soon. But now that the new iron pipes are being built, you'll see more and more people here starting to think about wheat and rice. They'll be bringing grain up to the catapult pod Yes. At that time, your disaster will also come."

I am impressed with them.From what I've seen and heard, the old organization here is like a church, relying on bombastic speeches, sensational music, and live emotions to influence its members.And I just said: "That's how it is, comrades. Here are the data, you decide what to do!" I also met with a comrade alone, he is a Chinese engineer.Anything, he just needs to look carefully to know how to make it.I asked him if he had ever seen a A laser gun that is similar to a rifle and is easy to carry.He said he hadn't seen it.I also mentioned the passport system of these days, which is very unfavorable to smuggling.He mused that it shouldn't be hard to get some jewelry or something—he'd be visiting his cousin in Moon City next week.I told him Uncle Adam would be glad to hear from him.

All in all, the trip was rewarding. On the way back, I stopped at New Lean to check out a hole-punch computer called the Foreman.I just checked this machine not too long ago.Then I went to lunch and happened to meet my father.We were very close, but we didn't see each other for a year or two.We were chatting over beers and sandwiches, and when I got up to say goodbye, he said, "Nice to meet you, Manny. Liberty Moon!" Free Moon!Surprised, I blurted out my response.You'd be hard-pressed to find a cynical, apolitical person like my father in this world.If even he was saying that in public, the movement must have taken root. So when I arrived in Moon City, I was very excited. In addition, I slept for a while when I came from Torricelli, and I was not tired at all.I took the Huancheng Line from South Station, walked out from the bottom alley, avoided the crowds on the avenue, and went straight to my home. Passing the courtroom where Judge Brody was on the way, I turned in to say hello to him.He's an old friend of mine who had the same amputation as me.After breaking a leg, he became a judge, and was quite successful.At that time, besides him, there was no other judge in Yuecheng who didn't have a second job. Others could at least publish books, sell insurance and so on. If two people quarreled and asked Brody to settle the case, if both parties were not convinced, he would refund the fee to others.If there was a fight between two people, he would cut it for them for free - and reminded them not to use a knife. The judge's hat was on the table, but he was not in the office. I was about to leave when a group of people came in outside, a group of teenagers, dressed in fashion.One of them was a girl, and they were pushing an older man.The man was pushed and shoved into a mess, and he was in a mess.There is an inexplicable thing in the dress, which tells us clearly: tourists. Even then, there were tourists to the moon.Not to mention a large number, but there are also many.They come from the earth, stay in the hotel for a week, and then take the spaceship they came back to.Or stay longer and take the next bus back.Most tourists start with a day or two of sightseeing, which includes frivolous activities such as walking on the moon's surface, which is a regular part of every visitor's schedule.Then go take a gamble.The Lunarians did not take these visitors from Earth seriously, nor did they pay much attention to their eccentricities. The oldest of them, a young man of about eighteen, who was probably their leader, asked me, "Where's the judge?" "I don't know, he's not here." He bit his lip, a little embarrassed. I asked: "What's the matter?" He said very seriously: "We want to execute this guy, but we need the approval of the judge." I said, "Look around in the bars, maybe you can find him." A boy of about fourteen suddenly said, "Well, aren't you Mr. O'Kelly?" "yes." "Why don't you judge?" The oldest one looked relieved: "How are you, sir?" I hesitated.That's right, occasionally I play a cameo role as a judge.Who hasn't done such a thing?But I'm not keen.But when I heard these young people say they were going to kill a tourist, I was a little worried and felt the need to say something. Having made up my mind, I said to the tourist, "Would you like me to be your judge?" He was surprised, "Do I have a choice in this matter?" I said patiently, "Of course. If you are not willing to accept my trial, I will not try this case. Not forcing you. This is your life, not mine." He looked surprised, but not scared.His eyes lit up: "My life, do you mean my life?" "That's obvious. Didn't you hear these boys say they're going to kill you? Of course, you can choose to wait for Judge Brody." Without hesitation, he replied with a smile: "I agree with you as my judge." "So be it," I said, looking at the oldest lad. "And who's on the other side of this dispute? Is it just you and your young friend?" "Oh no, Judge, we all are." "I'm not your judge yet." I looked around at the others and said, "Do you want me to be your judge?" Nod, no one says no. The boss turned to the girl and added, "Tish, you'd better say something, do you agree?" "What? Oh, of course!" She was a tasteless little thing: curvy, pretty, and flirtatious.She was about fourteen, the slot machine service girl type who would sleep with you if you had money, and probably would in old age.This kind of girl doesn't like to get married peacefully, and is more willing to be the "queen" of a large group of hooligans.I'm not blaming these lads.They chased women down the corridors because there were so few women in the moon, and after a long day at work, there was little consolation in coming home at night. "Okay, the judge's confirmed. You're all here to obey my decision, then. Let's fix the fees. How much do you guys get? Please understand that I can't decide a murder case for pennies. So, it's either pay or I'll let him go." The boss blinked, and they formed a group to discuss.Soon, he turned his head and said to me: "We don't have much money. Five Hong Kong dollars per person, why don't you?" Six of them yelled—"No! You can't just pay this price to let a judge try a murder case." They formed a group again, "Judge, how about fifty?" "Sixty, ten Hong Kong dollars per person. And you, Tish, ten dollars from you." I said to the girl. She looked a little surprised, and a little offended. "Come on, come on," I said, "there's no such thing as pie in the sky!" She blinked and reached for her purse.She has money, she's the kind of person who always has money with her. After collecting seventy yuan, I put it on the table and said to the tourist, "Where's yours? Can you pay that much?" "what?" "The children paid seventy dollars for this trial. You should pay as much as they did. If you can't pay, open your purse and prove that you owe me. But your share is So much. That's cheap for a capital case. Kids didn't have much money, so you got a bargain." "I understand, I think I understand." He took out seventy Hong Kong dollars. "Thanks," I said, "do the parties want a jury now?" The girl's eyes lit up all of a sudden. "Of course, we'll look for it right away." The earthling said: "In this case, maybe I need it too." "You can," I assured him. "A legal counsel?" "Ah, yes, I think I need a lawyer." "I said 'counsel', not 'lawyer', there are no lawyers here." He still looks happy. “I thought, if I choose a legal advisor, are their qualifications as irregular as the proceedings here?” "It's possible. I'm not a regular judge, so let's do it. You can figure it out." "Well, I recognize this irregularity, and I think I trust you, Your Honor." The oldest fella said: "Ah, there's a jury. Do you have an IOU? Oh no, can we have an IOU?" "I'll pay for that. Since I've collected a hundred and forty dollars, the disbursements are my business. Haven't you ever been to court before? But don't give me a dime. Six Five dollars each, jurors. See if there's anyone in the alley." A boy walked out and yelled, "Be a juror! Five dollars each!" They got six guys, the kind you only see in bottom alleys.I'm not worried about this, because I didn't intend to listen to their opinions at all.If you want to be a judge, you'd better pick a good neighborhood where you have a chance of finding good citizens who are honest and reliable. I went behind the table, sat down, and put on Brody's judge's hat—don't know where he found it, maybe some family threw away something they didn't need. "The court is now open," I announced. "First name, and then what happened." The oldest boy is called Slim Lemkeeler, and the girl is Patricia Carmen.Zhugu.I have forgotten the names of the others now. The tourist took a step forward, took it out of his pocket, and said, "Your Excellency, this is my business card." I still have it, and it says: Stuart René Lajoie poet-tourist-adventurer What happened was pitifully absurd, and it can be said to be the best teaching material for educating tourists who wander around without a guide.Of course, tour guides are scammers - but don't tourists pay for it?Look at this one, who almost lost his life because there was no tour guide. The course of the matter is roughly as follows: Lajoie wandered around and entered a bar, which is a place where hooligans often go, a kind of clubhouse similar to a club.The simple-minded girl flirted with him, and the boys pretended not to see it, because they had nothing to say if she wanted it.Later, she smiled and let him put his hands on her waist.He agreed as casually as a Moonman...but what happened next was typical Earthman way; he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her towards him, obviously intending to kiss her. Trust me, it's perfectly fine in North America, I've seen a lot of it.But Tish was taken aback, and perhaps terrified.she screamed. So a group of lads surrounded him, kicked and punched him, and decided that he had to pay for his "crime"—but do it legally, and find a judge. They were probably still scared, because none of them had ever dealt with putting a person to death.But their lady was insulted, and he should be put to death. I questioned them again, and Tish in particular, convinced myself that I had the whole story, and I said, "Let me sum it up: We have a stranger here who doesn't understand our habits. He He was at fault for offending the girl. But as far as I can see, he didn't mean to offend the girl. What did the jury say? Well, over there, you—wake up! What did you say?" The juror looked up sleepily and said, "Execute him." "Is it a good fit? How about you?" "Well..." The next one hesitated, "I think it's enough to beat him up, so that he will learn to behave better next time. We can't let their men touch our women, Otherwise it's going to be as bad as they say Earth is." "That makes sense." I agreed, "What about you?" Only one juror voted in favor of his death; others suggested varying degrees, ranging from a beating to a heavy fine. "What's your opinion, Slim?" "Hmm..." He was a little embarrassed, he couldn't explain to his brother and the girl who might be his girlfriend.But he finally calmed down and no longer wanted to execute the tourist. "We've already beaten him. Maybe...how about letting him kneel on the ground, kiss the ground in front of Tish, and apologize?" "Would you like to do this, Monsieur Lajoie?" "If you order me to do so, sir." "I shall not order so. Well, here is my verdict: First, the juryman—you!—your commission is paid as your penalty. For you fell asleep during the trial. Withhold, gentlemen. Him, take the money out, throw him out." They did and were very positive.This made up a little for the thrill they had expected but not received. "Now, Monsieur Lajoie, everyone knows that you should learn the customs of the country before you go on a trip, and you haven't. You've been fined fifty dollars. Pay it!" After I took the money, I said, "Boys, you stand in a row. Each of you was fined five yuan, because you knew he was a stranger and didn't understand our way of life, but you didn't use your correct judgment to treat him. This stranger. You can keep him from touching Tish, that's all right; hit him, he'll learn faster; and you can throw him out. But, for such an inadvertent mistake, threaten to Put him to death—that's a little too much. Come, come, five dollars apiece." Slim swallowed, and said, "Judge...we don't have that much money now! At least I don't." "It's possible. Give you a week's grace. If you don't pay back, I will put your name on the old dome. Do you know where the 'Mei You Beauty Salon' is? It's near the airtight gate No. 13. It was opened by my wife, just give her the money. The trial is over! Slim, don't go, and you, Tish. Mr. LaJoie, we invite these young people to have a cold drink and get to know each other ,How about it?" His eyes were full of surprise and joy again, and I couldn't help but think of the professor. "That's a good idea, Judge." "Now I'm no longer a judge. It was... Now, I suggest you let Tish take your arm." He bowed and said, "Miss, is that okay?" and bent his elbow to her. Tish immediately became very mature and sophisticated, "Great! Sir! It's an honor!" We took them to a posh place that didn't go well with their ostentatious attire.They're a little reserved, but I try to make them feel at ease. Stuart Lajoie is even more dedicated, and has established a relationship with this group of hooligans.I know the names and addresses of these people.Wyoh has an exhaustive list of hooligans.They quickly finished their drinks, stood up, thanked them and left, leaving me and Lajoie sitting still. "Sir," he asked at once, "you used a very strange word earlier—strange to me, I mean." "Since the kids are gone, call me 'Manny.' What word?" "That's what you said when you insisted on that, well, that young lady, Tish—yes, Tish, too. 'Free food' or something like that." "Oh, you mean 'there is no such thing as a free lunch', which means 'there is no such thing as a free lunch'." I added, pointing to the sign in the house that said "Free Lunch". "This lunch isn't free, and the drinks are double the price. I'm reminding the girl that anything that's free is worthless in the long run if it doesn't actually pay more." "Very interesting philosophy." "There's no philosophy, it's just a fact. If you want to get it, you have to give it, no matter what method you use." I fanned the air with my hand, "I have been to the earth, and I heard a saying, 'Free like air ’. But the air here is not free, you pay for every breath you breathe.” "Really? Nobody wants me to pay to breathe." He laughed. "Maybe I should stop breathing." "Quite possible. Didn't you almost breathe in a vacuum tonight? Nobody asked you for money because you already paid for it, included in your round-trip transportation. And I have to pay quarterly." I started telling him how our family buys air and then sells it to the community co-op.It was a little too complicated to tell him afterward, "At the end of the day, we both have to pay." Lajoie looked in a good mood, and said thoughtfully, "Yes, it's absolutely necessary economically. It's just that I didn't know anything about it before. Tell me, er, Manny—call me 'S Tu' well - am I really in danger of sucking a vacuum?" "I should really ask you to pay more." "Would you please tell me?" "You don't believe me. I emptied all the money in the pockets of those children and fined them some, just to make them reflect on themselves. So I can only charge you the same fee as them. But I should have paid more Take a little, or you'll think I'm joking." "Believe me, sir, I don't think it's a joke, it's just that it's hard to understand your local laws, and it's so casual to execute a person... and for such a small mistake." I sigh.Such a man, ignorant of the subject under discussion, full of unrealistic preconceived notions without realizing it—where would one begin to explain it to him? "Stu," I said, "then let's get this straight! First, there's no local law here, so you can't be executed by law; The reason why I made this accommodation is that you don't understand the situation here; in addition, they didn't deal with you casually, otherwise they would have dragged you to the nearest airtight gate, pushed you outside, and ran away You know, there is zero air pressure outside the gate. In fact, they are very well-behaved, good lads...paying for the lawsuit at their own expense. The verdict is far from what they expected, and they have not complained. Now, you still Is there anything you don't understand?" He smiled, revealing two dimples, much like a professor.I found myself liking him more and more. "I'm afraid I understand. I feel as if I have entered a strange illusion." I expected it.I have been to the earth, and I understand some of their thoughts.People on Earth expect that every situation has a corresponding law, a written legal clause, even for something as personal as signing a contract.This is real.In fact, if a person does not keep his promise at all, who will sign a contract with him?Can't Earthlings judge others by reputation? "We have no laws," I said, "we are not allowed to have laws. We have customs, but they are not written down, and they are not enforced-or rather need not be enforced at all. Circumstances dictate that everything should be done by custom. It can also be said that our customs are the laws of nature, which must be obeyed in order to survive. When you touch Tish, you are violating this natural law. This is why you almost breathed a vacuum." He blinked thoughtfully, "Can you explain the laws of nature I'm violating? I'd better understand them...or I think I'd better go back to the boat and wait for it to set sail .Only in this way can I save my life." "Of course, it's easy. Once you get it, you're not in such danger. We have two million men here, and less than a million women. It's a fact, the most basic fact, just like There are only rocks and a vacuum here. So there is the idea of ​​"there is no free lunch in the world". Rare things are more expensive. There are few women, and there is not enough distribution-they have become the most precious things in Moon City. Women are more valuable than water Air and air are also precious. Without a woman, would a man care if he survived? Unless he is a cyborg, can you treat a cyborg as a man? I can't." I continued: "What's the result? Let me tell you, when this custom or natural law first appeared in the 20th century, the situation on the moon was worse than it is now. At that time, the ratio of men to women was ten to one, or even worse. Prisons often appeared The situation is that men look for men. But it doesn't work, the problem remains. Most men are not satisfied with this substitute, they want women. But there is little hope of having real women. "They were so fanatical, eager, and even willing to kill for it... You can tell from the stories told by the old residents that in those days, this kind of massacre happened frequently, which made people creepy. After a period of time like this, they are still alive Some people came up with a solution to this problem, and things calmed down. All this is as natural as gravity: those who adapt to reality survive, and those who do not adapt die, and no longer cause trouble for everyone. "I mean, then and now, women are still scarce, women can command men... You have two million men watching you all the time to see if you do what she tells you. You don't have a choice, a choice With her. She can fuck you until you bleed, but you can't touch her with a finger. You see, you put her arms around her waist and almost kissed her. If it was a different situation, she went to the hotel room with you. What do you think will happen?" "My God! They're sure to tear me to pieces." "They won't do anything but shrug and pretend not to see. Because that's her choice, not yours or theirs. She has the absolute right to choose. However, if it's you who proposes to open the room, then There's trouble. She'll probably get mad, so the lads are free to beat you up. But--take Tish, for example. With a silly little whore like that, if you show me some money, I'll What you see in your purse is enough, and she will offer to open a room with you. If that is the case, you will not be in any danger." Lajoie shuddered. "Her age? I can't even think about it. She's underage. It's rape by law!" "Go to hell! No such thing. Women of this age are supposed to be married. Stu, there's no rape on the moon. No! Men won't allow this to happen. If rape does happen, they don't." Wouldn't bother to find a judge, all the men around would rush to help. But it's unlikely that a girl her age would be a virgin. When they were little, their mother would watch them, and everyone in town would help Come on. The kids are safe here. But when they are old enough to marry, no one can control them, not even the mothers. They can hang out in the corridors and play, and no one can stop them .once a girl reaches marriageable age, she is her own master. Are you married?" "No," he replied with a smile, "not yet." "If you were married and your wife told you she was getting married again, what would you do?" "It's strange, it really made you pick the right question. Similar things really happened. I found a lawyer, but she didn't get a cent of alimony." "We don't have the word 'alimony' here, and I learned it on Earth. But here, if it happens to you, you'd—a lunar husband would—say, 'Honey. , I think we have to get a bigger house.' Or don't say anything, just congratulate her and her new husband. If he is unhappy and can't bear it, then he can only pack his clothes and find a new household. Man. But anyway, he's not going to cause a little trouble. If he did, everyone would blame him. All friends, male and female, would snub him. The poor fellow may just move to New Lyon , changed his name and surname, for the sake of peace. "Our custom is like this. At zero pressure, if someone asks you to borrow air, you have to lend him a bottle, and you can't charge him. When you two return to the pressure zone, if he still doesn't pay, you can Fuck him yourself, no one will say anything to you. But he will pay. The air is as holy as a woman here. You play poker with the newcomers. You pay for the air, but you don't have to replace it He buys food, and he has to earn his own food, or he has to go hungry. If you kill someone and it is not in self-defense, then you have to pay his debts, and you have to take care of his children, otherwise everyone will ignore you, will not buy from you, and will not sell to you." "Manny, are you saying that I can kill people here, and then just use money to settle things?" "Oh no! But it's not illegal to kill people. Yes, we have no laws here - just some rules and regulations from the Warden, but he doesn't care about disputes between moon people. Here's what we thought: If a man is killed, he must have asked for it, and everyone around him knows it - usually is the case. If this is not the case, the friend of the deceased will do it for him, and kill his killer. Whatever the case No trouble at all. We don't kill much here, and we don't even have duels very often." "A friend? Manny, what if those young men do kill me? I don't have any friends here." "That's why I agreed to help with the trial! At that time, I suspected that the children were causing trouble, so I didn't dare to take it lightly. Executing tourists will ruin the reputation of our city." "Does this happen often?" “我倒不记得有这种事。哪怕有，也作意外事故处理了。初到月球者本来就容易发生意外，月球就是这样的地方嘛！他们说，一个新来的人如果能熬过第一年，那他住下去就没问题了。不过在第一年中不会有人卖保险给他的。” 我看了看时间，问道，“斯图，你吃过晚饭没有？” “还没呢，正想叫你去我住的酒店去吃呢。那里的菜不错，叫'奥尔良旅店'。” 我打了个寒噤——去吃过一次的。“不必了，愿意和我一块儿回家，见见我的家人么？这会儿家里应该会有汤之类的东西。” “这有些唐突吧？” “没问题。等我半分钟，我先打个电话。” 是姆姆接的电话，她说：“曼尼尔，是你！太好了，亲爱的！管铁舱到了都有几个小时了。我还以为你明天或许更晚才能回来呢。” “姆姆，和几个外面混的朋友喝了几杯，醉了。如果还记得路，现在我就回家——还带了个坏朋友来。” “好的，亲爱的。晚餐二十分钟后开始；别迟到。” “你不想知道我这个坏朋友是男是女吗？” “我了解你，我猜是个女的。不过得等见了才好说！” “你太了解我了，姆姆。告诉姑娘们打扮得漂亮些，别让客人给比下去。” “别太久了，要不晚餐就糟蹋了。再见，亲爱的，爱你。” “我也爱你，姆姆。” 我等了一会儿，拨了ＭＹＣＲＯＦＴ ＸＸＸ，“迈克，帮我查个人。乘坐波波夫号从地球来的，叫斯图尔特·勒内·拉茹瓦，名字斯图尔特中有一个Ｕ，他的姓氏应该能在Ｌ或Ｊ下查到。” 很快，迈克便查阅了地球上所有主要信息参考书目：名人录，邓恩与布雷兹特里特诚信公司①，欧洲王族家谱年鉴，以及伦敦时报等等，找到了有关斯图的信息： 法国侨民，保皇主义者，富有。他现在用的名字是由另外六个名字缩合而成。获得三所大学学位，其中包括索邦神学院②的法学学位。有法国和苏格兰的贵族血统，已同出身名门的帕米拉离婚（无子女）。有些地球人不愿同有犯罪家史的月球人说话——但是斯图不一样，他跟谁都愿意聊。 【① 美国最大最老的规定信用等级，对顾主提供信用资料的商业信用调查机构。 】 【② 巴黎大学前身。 】 我听了几分钟，吩咐迈克在查找到相关线索以后准备一份详细的资料，“迈克，这可能就是我们要利用的人。” "Yes, Man." “那就干吧，再见。” 我若有所思地回到客人身边。差不多一年前，就在那个旅馆房间里，我们一边喝酒一边讨论的时候，迈克说我们有七分之一的胜算，但前提是必须满足几个条件，条件之一就是必须要有地球的内应。 尽管我们可以“扔石头”，但是强大的地球拥有一百一十亿居；民，取之不尽的资源。而我们只有三百万民众，一无所有。我们不可能打败他们，尽管我们在高处，可以朝他们扔石头。这一点迈克明白，我们大家都明白。 迈克把１８世纪英属美洲殖民地独立战争和２０世纪许多殖民地摆脱帝国统治获得独立的解放运动进行了一个比较，然后指出，验个殖民地要想争取独立，武力不能解决问题。纵观历史，每次独立解放运动之所以获得成功，都是因为帝国疲于其他战事，无暇顾及，只得放弃。 几个月来，我们的队伍如我们所愿已经非常强大，足以应付监守长官的警卫队了。一旦弹射器顺利建成（现在随时可能完工），我们会更加强大。但即便如此，我们还是需要在地球创造“有利的气候”。正因为这个缘故，我们需要来自地球一方的帮助。教授认为这不难，但事实证明这很难。他在地球上的朋友大多已经死了，即便没死也已时日无多。而我认识的也就几位老师。我们开始在整个组织中打听“你认不认识地球上的什么重要人物？”常见的回答是：“你开玩笑吧？”——没有任何收效。教授察看入境飞船的乘客名单，试图寻找联络人。他还查阅打印出来的地球报纸，动用了一切关系，试图联系到一些重要人物。我可没做努力，我在地球上就认识那么几口人，都不是什么重要人物。 在波波夫的乘客名单中，教授并没有把斯图这个名字挑出来。不过，教授也没见过他。我不知道斯图是否如他的名片所显示的那样古怪、奇特，不过他是我在月球上与之共饮的惟一一个地球人。看上去他倒是个诚实的家伙。迈克的报告也表明，这种直觉并非完全不对。他应该有一些价值。 所以我把他带回家，想先看看家里人对他的看法。 一开始便很顺利。姆姆面带微笑，主动伸出手。他接过手，鞠了个躬，鞠得那么到位，我差点以为他要吻姆姆的手呢。如果不是我警告过他要小心月球女人的话，他肯定就那么做了。姆姆引他入座，高兴得都快叫了起来了。