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167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
136
"A
pleasure,"
Barrent
said.
"Have
you
a
ready-wear
in
my
size?"
"I'm
sure
I
have,"
Wonderson
said.
"Would
you
care
for
a
Regular
or
a
Special?"
"A
Regular
will
do
nicely."
"Most
new
Opinioners
prefer
the
Special,"
Wonderson
said.
"The
little
extra
simulated
handmade
touches
increase
the
public's
respect."
"In
that
case
I'll
take
the
Special."
"Yes,
sir.
Though
if
you
could
wait
a
day
or
two,
we
will
be
having
in
a
new
fabric--a
simulated
Home
Loom,
complete
with
natural
weaving
mistakes.
For
the
man
of
status
discrimination.
A
real
prestige
item."
"Perhaps
I'll
come
back
for
that,"
Barrent
said.
"Right
now,
I
need
a
ready-wear."
"Of
course,
sir,"
Wonderson
said,
disappointed
but
hiding
it
bravely.
"If
you'll
wait
just
one
little
minute...."
After
several
fittings,
Barrent
found
himself
wearing
a
black
business
suit
with
a
thin
edge
of
white
piping
around
the
lapels.
To
his
inexperienced
eye
it
looked
almost
exactly
like
the
other
suits
Wonderson
had
on
display
for
bankers,
stock
brokers,
grocers,
accountants,
and
the
like.
But
for
Wonderson,
who
talked
about
the
banker's
lapel
and
the
insurance
agent's
drape,
the
differences
were
as
clear
as
the
gross
status-symbols
of
Omega.
Barrent
decided
it
was
just
a
question
of
training.
"There,
sir!"
Wonderson
said.
"A
perfect
fit,
and
a
fabric
guaranteed
for
a
lifetime.
All
for
thirty-nine
ninety-five."
"Excellent,"
Barrent
said.
"Now,
about
the
money--"
"Yes,
sir?"
Barrent
took
the
plunge.
"I
haven't
any."
"You
haven't,
sir?
That's
quite
unusual."
"Yes,
it
is,"
Barrent
said.
"However,
I
do
have
certain
articles
of
value."
From
his
pocket
he
took
three
diamond
rings
with
which
the
Group
on
Omega
had
supplied
him.
"These
stones
are
genuine
diamonds,
as
any
jeweler
will
be
glad
to
attest.
If
you
would
take
one
of
them
until
I
have
the
money
for
payment--"
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