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167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
69
"Moera
is
the
one
I
want,"
Barrent
said.
"Young
man,
you
err
in
your
judgment."
"I'll
have
to
take
that
chance."
"Very
well,"
the
judge
said.
"Your
vacation
starts
at
nine
tomorrow
morning.
I
sincerely
wish
you
good
fortune."
Guards
escorted
Barrent
from
the
judge's
chambers,
and
he
was
taken
back
to
his
shop.
His
friends,
who
had
been
waiting
for
the
death
announcement,
came
to
congratulate
him.
They
were
eager
to
hear
the
complete
details
of
the
Trial
by
Ordeal;
but
Barrent
had
learned
now
that
secret
knowledge
was
the
road
to
power.
He
gave
them
only
the
sketchiest
outline.
There
was
another
cause
for
celebration
that
night.
Tem
Rend's
application
had
finally
been
accepted
by
the
Assassin's
Guild.
As
he
had
promised,
he
was
taking
Foeren
on
as
his
assistant.
The
following
morning,
Barrent
opened
his
shop
and
saw
a
vehicle
in
front
of
his
door.
It
had
been
provided
for
his
vacation
by
the
Department
of
Justice.
Sitting
in
the
back,
looking
beautiful
and
very
annoyed,
was
Moera.
She
said,
"Are
you
out
of
your
mind,
Barrent?
Do
you
think
I
have
time
for
this
sort
of
thing?
Why
did
you
pick
me?"
"You
saved
my
life,"
Barrent
said.
"And
I
suppose
you
think
that
means
I'm
interested
in
you?
Well,
I'm
not.
If
you
have
any
gratitude,
you'll
tell
the
driver
that
you've
changed
your
mind.
You
can
still
choose
another
girl."
Barrent
shook
his
head.
"You're
the
only
girl
I'm
interested
in."
"Then
you
won't
reconsider?"
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