Chapter 69 Chapter Fifty-Five

The sky was almost cloudless, but it was a grayish blue, as if shrouded in a high-rise mist.What a beautiful picture, Seldon thought, but suddenly he missed the sun again.No one on Trantor could see the sun unless they went up to the dome, and even then they had to wait until the natural clouds had cracked. Do the natives of Trantor miss the sun?Have they thought about it?When they visit other worlds and look up and see the real sun, do they gaze in awe at that blinding ball of fire? Why, he wondered, did so many people go about their lives without trying to find out the answers to many of their questions, or even think about them at all?Is there anything in life more exciting than finding answers?

He moved his eyes to the horizon again.The wide road is lined with low buildings, most of which are shops.There are numerous personal ground vehicles coming and going, each sticking close to the right.They seem like a bunch of antiques, except they're all electrically powered and almost silent.Seldon couldn't help but wonder, was "antique" always a word worth laughing at?Does being quiet make up for being slow?After all, what is there in life that needs to be rushed? Seeing some children on the sidewalk, Seldon pursed his lips in confusion.Apparently, it is impossible for the Mycogenians to have a long lifespan unless they are willing to commit infanticide on a large scale.Children of both sexes (though it is difficult to tell boys from girls) wear tunics that measure only a few inches below the knees to facilitate the wild movements of the children.

Those children also have hair, no more than two centimeters.But even so, older children always have a hood attached to the jacket, and they all pull it up to completely cover the top of the head.As if they were old enough to make their hair look a little obscene, or old enough to actively want to cover it up and yearn for the coming-of-age rite of hair removal surgery. A thought suddenly occurred to Seldon.He said, "Dors, who pays the bill when you go shopping, you or Sister Raindrop?" "Of course it's me. The Yudian sisters never took out their magnetic credit cards. But should they do that? Everything they buy is for us, not for them."

"But what you have is a Trantor magnetic credit card, a magnetic credit card for a foreign woman." "Of course, Harry, but there's no problem at all. The Myersen people may have maintained their unique culture, thinking patterns, and living habits as they wished. They can destroy the hair on their heads and wear uniforms. However, they must use the universal Credits. If they refused, it would kill all business, and no sane person would do that. Credits make money, Harry." She held up a hand as if holding one. An invisible credit card. "So they accept your magnetic credit card?"

"They didn't even look at me, and never commented on my fur hat. Credits cleared all doubts." "Well, that's good. So I can also buy..." "No, I'll buy it. Credits may clear all doubts, but it's easier to clear doubts about a foreign woman. They are used to paying little or no attention to women, so naturally they treat me equally—this family It’s the clothing store I used to patronize.” "I'll be waiting outside, buy me a nice red shoulder strap - very eye-catching." "Don't pretend you've forgotten our decision. I'll buy two, and I'll buy another white smock...that fits my size."

"Won't they think it strange that a woman wants to buy a white dress?" "Of course not. They'll think I'm buying it for a boyfriend who happens to be the same size as me. In fact, as long as my magnetic credit card is fine, I don't think they'll bother to make any judgments." So Seldon began to wait, somewhat hoping that someone would greet him as a foreigner, or openly criticize him as a foreigner—the latter was actually more likely, but neither of these people appeared.No one who passed before him glanced at him, and even those who had looked in that direction seemed to move on indifferently.He was particularly sensitive to the gray dresses—women walking in pairs, and even worse with a male companion.They belong to a group that is suppressed, neglected, and ignored.What other action can cause a brief side look than a scream after seeing a foreign man?But even the women dismissed him.

They didn't expect to see aliens, Seldon thought, so they turned a blind eye. For the two men's imminent invasion of the sanctuary, he thought it was a good omen.No one would expect to see foreigners there, so they would be more familiar with the two of them! Seldon was in a pretty good mood when Dors came out. "Is it all bought?" "There is nothing missing." "Let's go back, then, so that you can change." The new white jacket doesn't fit as well as the gray one.Evidently she hadn't been able to try it on at all just now, or even the dullest shopkeeper would have been too frightened to know what to do.

"How do I look, Harry?" she asked. "Exactly the same as a boy," said Seldon. "Now let's try the shoulder straps . . . or the strap, as I'd better get used to it." Dors, without the fur cap, was tossing her hair contentedly.She said abruptly, "Don't put it on now, we're not going to parade Mythosan in slings. The last thing we want is to draw attention." "No, no. I just want to see if it fits." "Well, not that one. This one is better quality and more refined." "You're right, Dors. I have to get all the attention. I don't want them to know you're a woman."

"I didn't mean that, Harry, I just wanted you to look handsome." "Grateful, but I doubt that's possible. Now, let's see how this should be worn." Seldon and Dors practiced putting it on, taking it off, and strapping it together, trying again and again until they could do it in one smooth motion.Dors was Seldon's teacher this time, because she had seen a man in full motion outside the sept yesterday. When Seldon praised her keenness of observation, she blushed and said, "It's really nothing, Harry, it's just something I've observed."

Seldon replied, "Then you are a genius of observation." After practicing proficiently and satisfactorily, they stood far away from each other, examining each other's clothes.Seldon's kimono shone brightly, with a bright red dragon emerging from a paler background of the same hue.Dors's was a less bold design, just a simple stripe in the center and very light in tone. "That," she said, "is enough to show our good taste." And she took it off. "Now," said Seldon, "we'll fold it up and put it in one of the inner pockets. My credit card—Hummin's, actually—is in this inner pocket, and here, on the other side. The inside pocket is the tome."

"Books? Are you going to run around with it?" "I have to. I guess anyone who enters the sanctuary should carry a tome with them, and they may chant or read aloud in unison. If necessary, we will share the tome, and perhaps no one will notice Here. Are you ready?" "It's impossible to be ready, but I'll go with you." "It's going to be a dreary journey. Could you please check my fur hat and make sure there's no hair showing this time? Remember not to scratch your head." "I won't, you look all right." "The same to you." "You seem a little nervous." Seldon said sarcastically, "Guess why!" Dors reached out her hand impulsively, squeezed Seldon's hand tightly, but withdrew it quickly, as if surprised by her own actions.Then she lowered her head and straightened the white skirt on her body. Seldon himself was a little surprised, but also very happy in his heart. He cleared his throat and said, "Okay, let's go."