The Status Civilization

"I didn't come here for that," Barrent said. "I want to find out about my rights and obligations, of course. But right now, I want to find that girl." "Girl?" "She was sitting on the bench when I came in. She was the one who gave me the gun." Mr. Frendlyer looked astonished. "Citizen, you must be laboring under a misapprehension. There has been no woman in this office all day." "She was sitting on the bench near those three men. A very attractive dark-haired girl. You must have noticed her." "I would certainly have noticed her if she had been here," Frendlyer said, winking. "But as I said before, no woman has entered these premises today." Barrent glared at him and pulled the gun out of his pocket. "In that case, how did I get this?" "I lent it to you," Frendlyer said. "I'm glad you were able to use it successfully, but now I would appreciate its return." "You're lying," Barrent said, taking a firm grip on the weapon. "Let's ask those men." He walked over to the bench with Frendlyer close behind him. He caught the attention of the man who had been sitting nearest the girl and asked him, "Where did the girl go?" The man lifted a sullen, unshaven face and said, "What girl you talking about, Citizen?" "The one who was sitting right here." "I didn't notice nobody. Rafeel, you see a female on this bench?" "Not me," Rafeel said. "And I been sitting here continuous since ten this morning."