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167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
46
That
ended
the
sermon.
Barrent
awoke
momentarily
when
the
sacred
symbols
were
brought
out
and
displayed
to
the
reverent
congregation--a
red-handled
dagger,
and
a
plaster
toad.
Then
he
dozed
again
through
the
slow
inscribing
of
the
magical
pentagon.
At
last
the
ceremony
neared
its
end.
The
names
of
the
interceding
evil
demons
were
read--Bael,
Forcas,
Buer,
Marchocias,
Astaroth,
and
Behemoth.
A
prayer
was
read
to
ward
off
the
effects
of
Good.
And
Uncle
Ingemar
apologized
for
not
having
a
virgin
to
sacrifice
on
the
Red
Altar.
"Our
funds
were
not
sufficient,"
he
said,
"for
the
purchase
of
a
government-certified
peon
virgin.
However,
I
am
sure
we
will
be
able
to
perform
the
full
ceremony
next
Monday.
My
assistant
will
now
pass
among
you...."
The
assistant
carried
around
the
black-rimmed
collection
plate.
Like
the
other
worshipers,
Barrent
contributed
generously.
It
seemed
wise
to
do
so.
Uncle
Ingemar
was
clearly
annoyed
at
not
having
a
virgin
to
sacrifice.
If
he
became
a
little
angrier,
he
might
take
it
into
his
head
to
sacrifice
one
of
the
congregation,
virgin
or
not.
Barrent
didn't
stay
for
the
choir
singing
or
the
community
dancing.
When
the
evening
worship
was
finished,
he
poked
his
head
cautiously
out
the
door.
The
temperature
had
gone
up
to
the
seventies,
and
the
frost
was
already
melted
from
the
ground.
Barrent
shook
hands
with
the
priest
and
hurried
home.
Chapter
Eight
Barrent
had
had
enough
of
Omega's
shocks
and
surprises.
He
stayed
close
to
his
store,
worked
at
his
business,
and
kept
alert
for
trouble.
He
was
beginning
to
develop
the
Omegan
look:
a
narrow,
suspicious
squint,
a
hand
always
near
gun
butt,
feet
ready
to
sprint.
Like
the
older
inhabitants,
he
was
acquiring
a
sixth
sense
for
danger.
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